THE SUBSYSTEM APPROACH: A FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYZING INFORMATION SYSTEMS AT INVENTION AND REINVENTION

摘要

Information Systems are often seen as useful artifacts that are designed objectively and thus represent reality “as is.” This paper takes a different view, arguing that maximum utility cannot be reached unless systems theory is fused with the insight supplied by a philosophical foundation. The paper articulates within the context of the theory of ontology the classification of information systems into four unique information systems at the point of ‘invention and reinvention’ that must also be looked at as being embedded within other systems and subsystems. The four information systems can interact with each other and/or other environmental or social subsystems. Having clarified and organized the information system domain into a framework, using a subsystem approach this paper seeks to provide the conceptual organization that will assist information system researchers and designers in their professional activities.