Taking a feminist approach to information systems research and using the 'thinking tools' provided by the sociologist Pierre Bourdieu

摘要

Purpose - This paper aims to contribute a personal account of doing critical research that uses thernsocial theory of Pierre Bourdieu and also that takes a feminist approach to research. It aims to reflectrnon what this might mean in order to understand information systems and their uses at work and inrneveryday life.rnDesign/methodology/approach - The approach is confessional and describes the way in whichrncritical qualitative research was undertaken in specific areas - that of call centres in NorthwestrnEngland, gender and the UK ICT labour market and PhD research into issues of gender and homerne-shopping.rnFindings - The findings as such suggest that social theory and critical approaches to research canrncontribute to understanding of IS at work and in everyday life. The account discusses the complexityrnof applying social theories and how difficult theoretical tomes are to understand, especially for the novice researcher.rnPractical implications - The paper highlights the importance of hearing the silent or silencedrnvoices and letting stories be told. A theme throughout is how theory is linked to practice.rnOriginality/value - The paper contributes to the special issue call for reflexive essays written inrnsimple terms with details about how and why particular social theories or approaches were adopted.rnThis will be of value to PhD and IS researchers whose work is informed by social theory.