Value Sensitive Design and Information Systems

Abstract

Forthcoming in P. Zhang & D. Galletta (Eds.), Human-Computer Interaction in Management Information Systems: Foundations. M.E. Sharpe, Inc: NY. ________________________________________________________________________ Value Sensitive Design is a theoretically grounded approach to the design of technology that accounts for human values in a principled and comprehensive manner throughout the design process. It employs an integrative and iterative tripartite methodology, consisting of conceptual, empirical, and technical investigations. We explicate Value Sensitive Design by drawing on three case studies. The first study concerns information and control of web browser cookies, implicating the value of informed consent. The second study concerns using high-definition plasma displays in an office environment to provide a "window" to the outside world, implicating the values of physical and psychological well-being and privacy in public spaces. The third study concerns an integrated land use, transportation, and environmental simulation system to support public deliberation and debate on major land use and transportation decisions, implicating the values of fairness, accountability, and support for the democratic process, as well as a highly diverse range of values that might be held by different stakeholders, such as environmental sustainability, opportunities for business expansion, or walkable neighborhoods. We conclude with direct and practical suggestions for how to engage in Value Sensitive Design.

Deliberating responsibility: a collective contribution by the C’Nano IdF Nanoscience & Society Office

“…They embody meanings and valuations that need to be made explicit, and then articulated and subjected to collective moral evaluation (Bensaude-Vincent 2013). The value-laden dimension of objects is the main focus of ''value-sensitive design'' (Friedman et al 2006) and ''design ethics'' (Verbeek 2006). But these attempts often fall short in addressing explicitly normative questions such as the choice between multiples competing values and their hierarchization (Manders-Huits 2011).…”

A value-oriented and culturally informed approach to the design of interactive systems

“…In fact, Friedman et al (2006) indicate the identification of stakeholders as one of the first and most important steps when conducting a value sensitive design. However, the common practices in HCI tend to focus on user studies and on the analysis of stakeholders that are clearly linked to the problem and its solution.…”

“…This perspective is in accordance to Schwartz (2005) definition for values: desirable and trans-situational goals that vary in importance and that serve as principles that guide people's lives. Moreover, this perspective also encompasses Friedman et al (2006)'s definition for values in the context of technology design: something that is important to a person individually or to a group of people. Hall (1959) also defends the cultural nature of values suggesting the importance of technology as both cause and result of cultural changes in a society.…”

“…According to Friedman et al (2006), Value-Sensitive Design is a theoretically grounded approach to the design of technology that accounts for human values throughout the design process. It involves an integrative and iterative tripartite methodology that consists of conceptual, empirical, and technical investigations, encouraging moral discussions in relation to the development of products and services (Miller et al, 2007).…”

Agents of responsibility—freelance web developers in web applications development

“…"The professional commits to a "higher degree of care" for those affected by the computing product" (Gotterbarn 2001). Different researchers and philosophers have emphasized that the technologies including information technologies affect social structures and societal values and vice a versa (e.g., see Barley 1986, Gil-Garcia 2006Friedman et al 2002;and Fountain 2001). Therefore, while designing or developing the applications and systems, freelance web designers and developers should realize that as in other cases of technology design and development, they are not only designing mere technical artifacts but they are contributing to the design and development of society.…”