Description
The term “Information System” is so common that one can use the term in ordinary conversation without anyone ever asking for a definition or a clarification. Sadly, in research settings, where there should be a more rigorous examination of the meaning of the terms we use, the term is used indiscriminately as well. However, if the field of Information Systems is, indeed, about Information Systems, one would hope that there is a clear definition otherwise critics could rightly claim that we don’t even know what our field is about. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of an “Information System” in an attempt to clarify what we are studying, so that we can advance our knowledge of information systems and advance the intellectual content of the field.
Recommended Citation
Artz, John M., "What is an Information System? Another Small Step Toward The Philosophy of Information Systems" (2017). AMCIS 2017 Proceedings. 1.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2017/PhilosophyIS/Presentations/1
What is an Information System? Another Small Step Toward The Philosophy of Information Systems
The term “Information System” is so common that one can use the term in ordinary conversation without anyone ever asking for a definition or a clarification. Sadly, in research settings, where there should be a more rigorous examination of the meaning of the terms we use, the term is used indiscriminately as well. However, if the field of Information Systems is, indeed, about Information Systems, one would hope that there is a clear definition otherwise critics could rightly claim that we don’t even know what our field is about. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of an “Information System” in an attempt to clarify what we are studying, so that we can advance our knowledge of information systems and advance the intellectual content of the field.