Demo or Practice: Critical Analysis of the Language/Action Perspective

Despite offering several promising concepts, the Language/Action Perspective (LAP) is still not in the mainstream of Information Systems Development (ISD). Since at present there is only a limited understanding of LAP theory and practice, it remains unclear whether the lack of LAP’s impact is due to shortcomings in LAP theory itself. One classic problem within ISD is the dichotomy between social perspectives and technical perspectives. LAP claims it offers a solution to this problem. This paper investigates this claim as a means to review LAP theory. To provide a structure to a critical analysis of DEMO – an example methodology that belongs to the LAP research community – this paper utilizes a paradigmatic framework. This framework is augmented by the opinion of several DEMO practitioners by means of an expert discussion. With use of a comparative evaluation of LAP theory and DEMO theory, the implication of DEMO’s reflection upon LAP is determined. The paper concludes by outlining an agenda for further research if LAP is to improve its footprint in the field.