The Influence of Realist Ontology on TechnologicalProjects: The Case of Irish Electronic Voting

CITES Agarwood experts group meeting

Bruno Zelic ; Dr. Bernd Carsten Stanhl

Others  :  http://CEUR-WS.org/Vol-130/Zelic.pdf
PID  :  49961

来源: CEUR

【 摘 要 】

This paper discusses the relationship between ontology, seen as the understanding of reality, and the management of technology. It introduces twoontological positions: realism and constructivism. This ontological debate isexplored with the example of the Irish attempt to introduce e-voting. In order tounderstand the mistakes made during the Irish e-voting project, it is helpful toconsider the ontological position taken by the responsible decision makers. It is argued that only a realist conception of technology can give rise to the sort ofmismanagement that was observed in the case study. In conclusion, the papersuggests that following a constructivist ontology would have helped avoid some of the serious mistakes that were made.