General IS Topics
Loading...
Paper Number
2115
Paper Type
short
Description
Representation theory conceives of information systems (IS) as providing faithful representations of focal real-world phenomena, such as goods, processes, or services. Some digital artifacts, however, create alternate realities, representing phenomena that are neither observable nor exist outside those artifacts (e.g., video games or virtual worlds). In such situations, established notions of IS as representations of real-world phenomena, coupled with the idea of representational fidelity to measure an IS’s quality, do not apply. We use a semiotic lens and argue that in order to consider the full range of contemporary IS, including those that represent real-world phenomena and those that do not, we need to extend the focus from “IS as representations of real-world phenomena” to the idea of “IS as representations of articulated meaning.” We conceptualize multiple levels of representation for real-world and digital phenomena, develop a set of propositions, and illustrate our conceptual framework using two examples.
Recommended Citation
Chandra-Kruse, Leona; Seidel, Stefan; and Maedche, Alexander, "Levels of Digital Representation: Semiotics and the Articulation of Meaning" (2021). ICIS 2021 Proceedings. 9.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2021/gen_topics/gen_topics/9
Levels of Digital Representation: Semiotics and the Articulation of Meaning
Representation theory conceives of information systems (IS) as providing faithful representations of focal real-world phenomena, such as goods, processes, or services. Some digital artifacts, however, create alternate realities, representing phenomena that are neither observable nor exist outside those artifacts (e.g., video games or virtual worlds). In such situations, established notions of IS as representations of real-world phenomena, coupled with the idea of representational fidelity to measure an IS’s quality, do not apply. We use a semiotic lens and argue that in order to consider the full range of contemporary IS, including those that represent real-world phenomena and those that do not, we need to extend the focus from “IS as representations of real-world phenomena” to the idea of “IS as representations of articulated meaning.” We conceptualize multiple levels of representation for real-world and digital phenomena, develop a set of propositions, and illustrate our conceptual framework using two examples.
When commenting on articles, please be friendly, welcoming, respectful and abide by the AIS eLibrary Discussion Thread Code of Conduct posted here.
Comments
03-General