Model for Information Systems Legitimacy in Rehabilitation Counseling

Based on a review of written material published by thirteen rehabilitation counseling organizations, the study finds that the sector has few unmet information processing needs with regard to political and policymaking activities, both critical success factors. The study then posits that there are significant benefits to be gained by rehabilitation counseling networks through the conversion of process-oriented knowledge from tacit and explicit, document-based forms to automated, expressive characterizations that can be shared with rehabilitation counselors, clients, and others using computers and electronic networks. The study also clarifies concepts supporting the requirements forcognitive legitimacy as operationalized by fluidity, i.e., the ready transfer of knowledge to and from information systems. It supports prior work in the sociopolitical legitimacy of information technology as operationalized by immersion, defined as the willingness to use computerized technologies to resolve information processing challenges. The work includes a nomological net of information system requirements that provides guidelines for improved systems legitimacy for social networks in all sectors.

Kenneth Tingey is a fellow at the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials at Utah State University. He has experience as venture capital fund founder and partner, manufacturing manager, consultant, and software entrepreneur. His doctorate is in education, with degrees in business management and comparative public policy.