Model for Information Systems Legitimacy in Rehabilitation Counseling

Based on a review of written material published by thirteenrehabilitation counseling organizations, the study finds that thesector has few unmet information processing needs with regard topolitical and policymaking activities, both critical successfactors. The study then posits that there are significant benefitsto be gained by rehabilitation counseling networks through theconversion of process-oriented knowledge from tacit and explicit,document-based forms to automated, expressive characterizationsthat can be shared with rehabilitation counselors, clients, andothers using computers and electronic networks. The study alsoclarifies concepts supporting the requirements for cognitivelegitimacy as operationalized by fluidity, i.e., the ready transferof knowledge to and from information systems. It supports priorwork in the sociopolitical legitimacy of information technology asoperationalized by immersion, defined as the willingness to usecomputerized technologies to resolve information processingchallenges. The work includes a nomological net of informationsystem requirements that provides guidelines for improved systemslegitimacy for social networks in all sectors.