Social Impact Statements: Engaging Public Participation in Information Technology Design
Abstract
"The real question before us lies here: do these instruments further life
and enhance its values, or not? - Mumford (1934) p. 318 Computers have
become an integral part of our everyday lives. Banks, airlines, motor
vehicle administrations, police departments, Social Security, and the
Internal Revenue Service all depend on computers. From their
introduction, people have questioned the impact computers will have on
society. We believe it is our responsibility as system designers to
achieve organizational goals while serving human needs and protecting
individual rights. The proposed Social Impact Statements (Shneiderman,
1990) woul d identify the impacts of information systems on direct and
indirect users, who may be employees or the public. This paper proposes a
framework for implementing Social Impact Statements for federal and local
government agencies and regulated industries, with optional participation
by the other privately held corporations. A Social Impact Statement should
describe the new system and its benefits, acknowledge concerns and
potential barriers, outline the development process, and address
fundamental principl es. Examples from our work with the Maryland
Department of Juvenile Justice are offered.
Also cross-referenced as CAR-TR-796