Premium
Human‐machine dynamics in complex information systems: the ‘microworld’ paradigm as a heuristic tool for developing theory and exploring design issues
Author(s) -
Wastell David
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
information systems journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.635
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2575
pISSN - 1350-1917
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2575.1996.tb00017.x
Subject(s) - human–computer interaction , computer science , cognition , hierarchy , control (management) , heuristic , interface (matter) , process (computing) , cognitive ergonomics , knowledge management , cognitive science , risk analysis (engineering) , artificial intelligence , psychology , poison control , medicine , human factors and ergonomics , environmental health , bubble , neuroscience , maximum bubble pressure method , parallel computing , economics , market economy , operating system
. The term ‘complex informated domain’ refers to a work environment characterized by high complexity and onerous cognitive demands, in which the management of a remote process is mediated by an information system (IS). Such work environments are typical of highly technical domains, such as industrial process control, but as computer‐based information systems penetrate ever deeper into modern businesses, all organizations are taking on the same ‘informated’ characteristics. This paper reports an experiment using a rich simulation (‘a microworld’), which attempted to throw light on human–machine dynamics in such complex environments. Two issues were investigated: the state of the subject (fatigue induced by sleep loss) and the degree of operator control (empowerment) afforded by the IS interface. Results showed that sleep deprivation led to no degradation in overt performance but, contrary to expectations, lower performance was associated with high control operation. A detailed qualitative analysis showed the high control interface to encourage a more proactive control style, whereas fatigue intensified primitive, reactive strategies. The findings emphasize that cognition is a goal‐directed, adaptive system not simply an information‐processing mechanism. A model of cognitive dynamics is outlined that distinguishes a hierarchy of control levels: anxiety defences, reactive control and strategic control. In general, the experiment shows the potential value to IS research of the microworld paradigm as a tool for developing theory and exploring key design issues.