Socio-technical systems: From design methods to systems engineering

Baxter, Gordon; Sommerville, Ian

doi:10.1016/j.intcom.2010.07.003

Cited by 1,642Information Systems Theories and ImplementationSoftware Engineering Techniques and PracticesSystems Engineering Methodologies and Applications

Socio-technical systems: From design methods to systems engineering

Baxter, Gordon, Sommerville, Ian·2011·Interacting with Computers

DOI 10.1016/j.intcom.2010.07.003

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Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that adopting a socio-technical approach to system development leads to systems that are more acceptable to end users and deliver better value to stakeholders. Despite this, such approaches are not widely practised. We analyse the reasons for this, highlighting some of the problems with the better known socio-technical design methods. Based on this analysis we propose a new pragmatic framework for socio-technical systems engineering (STSE) which builds on the (largely independent) research of groups investigating work design, information systems, computersupported cooperative work, and cognitive systems engineering. STSE bridges the traditional gap between organisational change and system development using two main types of activity: sensitisation and awareness; and constructive engagement. From the framework, we identify an initial set of interdisciplinary research problems that address how to apply socio-technical approaches in a cost-effective way, and how to facilitate the integration of STSE with existing systems and software engineering approaches.

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Successful AI integration in nursing requires alignment between technological tools, the organizational context in which they are deployed, and the nurses who use them.
“From a sociotechnical perspective [59], successful AI integration in nursing requires alignment between technological tools, the organizational context in which they are deployed, and the nurses who use them.”
From The Role of AI in Nursing Education and Practice: Umbrella Review (2025) · cites this paper as [59]
Socio-technical design emphasizes the relevance of the organization and argues that the dimensions of human individuals, technology, and organization should be integrated.
“Socio-technical design emphasizes the relevance of the organization and argues that the dimensions of human individuals, technology, and organization should be integrated (Baxter and Sommerville 2011;Eason 1989;Kirsch et al. 1995;Mumford 2006).”
From Keeping the organization in the loop: a socio-technical extension of human-centered artificial intelligence (2023) · cites this paper as Baxter and Sommerville 2011

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Authors: Baxter, G., & Sommerville, I.
Affiliations: University of St Andrews (GB)
Venue: Interacting with Computers
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 2011-01
Volume: 23
Issue: 1
Pages: 4-17
ISSN: 0953-5438 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.intcom.2010.07.003
OpenAlex: W2137125422
Cited by: 1,642
References: 146
Citations by year: 2026: 313 · 2025: 178 · 2024: 108 · 2023: 102 · 2022: 102 · 2021: 148 · 2020: 97 · 2019: 92 · 2018: 72 · 2017: 62 · 2016: 79 · 2015: 56 · 2014: 67 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 32
FWCI: 117.40
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Interacting with Computers (publishedVersion)
Funders: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/F001096/1)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Information Systems Theories and Implementation
Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Software Engineering Techniques and Practices
Physical Sciences › Engineering › Control and Systems Engineering › Systems Engineering Methodologies and Applications
Keywords: socio-technical systems, job design, information systems, computer-supported cooperative work, cognitive systems engineering, organizational change, user acceptance, stakeholder value, interdisciplinary research

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Socio-technical systems: From design methods to systems engineering

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