Preface

The Language Action Perspective (LAP) is a theoretical orientation for studying modelling, design, implementation and usage of information systems in organizational contexts. LAP is based on an action view on language and communication, emphasizing what people do while communicating. It has its theoretical roots in speech act theory (Austin, Searle) and communication action theory (Habermas). Since 1980 there has been a growing interest in the Language Action Perspective among scholars in information systems and computer science. Pioneering work was done by Flores and Winograd. In the 90´s the Language Action approach has reached a mature level with several frameworks and methods for communication modelling as e.g. Action Workflow, DEMO, SAMPO and BAT.

Two international workshops (LAP´96, LAP´97) have been performed in the Netherlands. (http://infolabwww.kub.nl:2080/infolab/lap97/) The third International Workshop on the Language Action Perspective on Communication Modelling (LAP´98) is arranged at Steningevik, Märsta, just outside Stockholm, Sweden June 25-26, 1998.

The aim of LAP´98 is to bring together researchers from different disciplines as information systems, computer science, linguistics, communication studies and others as well as interested practitioners.

Papers submitted to LAP´98 have been refereed by an international program committee. The best eleven papers have been selected for presentation at the workshop.

Göran Goldkuhl
Professor in informatics at Jönköping International Business School

Go to conference papers.