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Defining information systems as work systems: implications for the IS field

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  • Steven Alter

Abstract

The lack of an agreed upon definition of information system (IS) is one of many obstacles troubling the academic IS discipline. After listing a number of definitions of IS, this paper defines IS as a special case of work system as defined in Alter (1999a). This definition has many desirable characteristics: it is easy to understand; differentiates IS from information technology (IT); covers totally manual, partially automated, and totally automated ISs; links to a life cycle model that generates many insights about development and implementation problems; provides a simple guideline that helps in interpreting common IS/IT jargon; and has other useful implications related to IS concepts, IS terminology, and the analysis and design of ISs. The paper presents the proposed IS definition and evaluates the definition in terms of simplicity, clarity, scope, systematic power, explanatory power, validity, reliability, and fruitfulness. An Appendix summarizes previously published concepts and two frameworks that flow from the proposed definition and are useful for appreciating many points in the evaluation section.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven Alter, 2008. "Defining information systems as work systems: implications for the IS field," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(5), pages 448-469, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:tjisxx:v:17:y:2008:i:5:p:448-469
    DOI: 10.1057/ejis.2008.37
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    Cited by:

    1. Lysann Gebauer & Michael Marcin Gierczak & Matthias Söllner & Jan Marco Leimeister, 2015. "Einflussfaktoren auf die Nutzung von Cloud-Speicherdiensten," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 67(3), pages 367-407, September.
    2. Oludapo, Samson & Carroll, Noel & Helfert, Markus, 2024. "Why do so many digital transformations fail? A bibliometric analysis and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    3. Monideepa Tarafdar & Cary L Cooper & Jean‐françois Stich, 2018. "The technostress trifecta - techno eustress, techno distress and design: Theoretical directions and an agenda for research," Post-Print hal-01689038, HAL.
    4. Pascal Fechner & Fabian König & Jannik Lockl & Maximilian Röglinger, 2024. "How Artificial Intelligence Challenges Tailorable Technology Design," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 66(3), pages 357-376, June.

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