Chaos theory as a model for interpreting information systems in organizations

Information Systems Journal

Volumn 15, Issue 3, 2005, Pages 233-254

  McBride, Neil ^a  

^a DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Chaos theory; Complexity; Information systems strategy; Interpretive research; National Probation Service; Strange attractors

Indexed keywords

INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY]; INTERPRETIVE RESEARCH; NATIONAL PROBATION SERVICE; STRANGE ATTRACTORS;

BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH; CHAOS THEORY; INFORMATION DISSEMINATION; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; SOCIAL ASPECTS;

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS;

EID: 20444416426     PISSN: 13501917     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2575.2005.00192.x     Document Type: Article

References (55)

1. Anderson, P. (1999) Complexity theory and organisational science. Organization Science, 10, 216-232.
2. Baskenville, R. & Smithson, S. (1995) IT and new organisational forms. European Journal of Information Systems, 4, 66-73.
3. Beeson, I. & Davis, C. (2000) Emergence and accomplishment in organisational change. Journal of Organisational Change Management, 13, 178-189.
4. Beinhocker, E.D. (1997) Strategy at the edge of chaos. Mckinsey Quarterly, 1, 24-39.
5. Boisot, M. & Child, J. (1999) Organisations as adaptive systems in complex environments. Organization Science, 10, 237-252.
6. Butler, T. (1998) Towards a hermeneutic method for interpretive research in information systems. Journal of Information Technology, 13, 285-300.
7. Bute, M.R., Chamberlain, L.L. & McCain, W.S. (1996) Strange Attractors: Chaos, Complexity and the Art of Family Therapy. John Wiley, Chichester, UK.
8. Byrne, D. (1998) Complexity and the Theory Social Sciences. Routledge, Oxford, UK.
9. Byrne, D. (2001) Complexity theory and transformations in social policy. [WWW document]. URL http://www.whb.co.uk/socialissues/db.htm
10. Chia, R. (1998) From complexity science to complex thinking: organisation as simple location. Organization. 5, 341-369.
11. Cilliers, P. (1998) Complexity and Postmodernism: Understanding Complex Systems. Routledge, London, UK.
12. Doolin, B. (1998) Information technology as disciplinary technology: being critical in interpretive research on information systems. Journal of Information Technology, 13, 301-311.
13. Ferdig, M. (2000) Complexity Theories: Perspectives for the Social Construction of Organisational Transformation. Proceedings of the Midwest Academy of Management Annual Conference, Chicago. [WWW document]. URL http://www.sba.muohio.edu/management/mwAcademy/2002/21d.pdf
14. Ferdig, M. (2002) Co-creating a Symphony Orchestra's Vision for the Future: Applications of Complexity Sciences and Social Constructionist Perspectives. Proceedings of the Midwest Academy of Management Annual Conference Indianapolis. [WWW document]. URL http://cobacourses.creighton.edu/MAM/2002/papers/Ferdig.doc
15. Fitzgerald, L. (2002) Chaos: the lens that transcends. Journal of Organisational Change Management, 15, 339-358.
16. Fitzgerald, L.A. & van Eijnatten, F. (2002) Reflections: chaos in organisational change. Journal of Organisational Change Management, 15, 402-411.
17. Frank, K. & Fahrbach, K. (1999) Organisational culture as a complex system: balance and information in models of influence and selection. Organization Science, 10, 257-277.
18. Gabriel, Y. (1998) The hubris of management. Administrative Theory and Praxis, 20, 257-273.
19. Gleick, J. (1987) Chaos Making a New Science. Abacus, London, UK.
20. Gribbin, J. (2004) Deep Simplicity. Penguin, London, UK.
21. Griffin, D., Shaw, P. & Stacey, R. (1998) Speaking of complexity in management theory and practice. Organisation, 5, 315-339.
22. Home Office (1999) A developing Probation Service National Information Strategy. [WWW document]. URL http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/cpd/probu/detail.pdf
23. Home Office (2000) The use of information by probation services Part 2. [WWW document], URL http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmiprob/part2.htm
24. Horion, K. (1998) Dynamics of Power in Information Systems Strategy. Proceedings of the 3rd UKAIS Conference Lincoln, p. 118-126.
25. Introna, L.D. (1997) Management, Information and Power. Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK.
26. Jones, M., Orlikowski, W. & Munir, K. (2004) Structuration theory and information systems: a critical reappraisal. In: Social Theory and Philosophy for Information Systems, Mingers, J. & Willcocks, L. (eds), pp. 297-328. John Wiley, Chichester, UK.
27. Kellert, S.H. (1993) In the Wake of Chaos: Unpredictable Order in Dynamical Systems. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA.
28. Lamberg, J.-A. & Parvinen, P. (2003) The river metaphor for strategic management. European Management Journal, 21, 549-557.
29. Lane, D. & Maxfield, R. (1995) Foresight complexity and strategy. Santa Fe Institute Working Papers, #95-12-106.
30. Lane, D. & Maxfield, R. (1996) Strategy under complexity: fostering generative relationships. Long Range Planning, 29, 215-231.
31. Levy, D. (1994) Chaos theory and strategy, theory, application, and managerial implications. Strategic Management Journal, 15, 167-178.
32. Lichtenstein, B.M.B. (2000) Emergence as a process of self-organising. New assumptions and insights from the study of non-linear dynamic systems. Journal of Organisational Change Management, 13, 526-544.
33. Lissack, M.R. (1997) Of chaos and complexity: managerial insights from a new science. Management Decision, 35, 205-218.
34. McBride, N. (2002) A Relationship-based Approach to IT Investment Appraisal. Proceedings of the 7th UKAIS Conference, 10-12th April, Leeds Metropolitan University.
35. Merali, Y. (2004) Complexity and information systems. In: Social Theory and Philosophy for Information Systems, Mingers, J. & Willcocks, L. (eds), pp. 407-446. John Wiley, Chichester, UK.
36. Monteiro, E. & Hanseth, O. (1996) Social shaping of information infrastructure: on being specific about the technology. In: Information Technology and Changes in Organisational Work, Orlikowski, W., Walsham, G., Jones, M.R. & De-Gross, J. (eds), pp. 325-343. Chapman & Hall, London, UK.
37. Musgrave, D. (2000) Evolving an Information Systems Strategy: Lessons from Practice. MPhil De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.
38. National Audit Office (2001) The implementation of the National Probation Service Information Systems Strategy. [WWW document]. URL http://www.nao.gov.uk/publications/nao_reports/00-01/0001401.pdf
39. Olson, E.E. & Eoyongi, G.H. (2001) Facilitating Organisational Change: Lessons from Complexity Sciences. Jossey Bass Wiley, Chichester, UK.
40. Orlikowski, W. & Hofman, J.D. (1997) A improvisational model of change management: the case of Groupware Technologies. Sloan Management Review, 38, 11-21.
41. Prigogine, I. & Stengers, I. (1997) The End of Certainty: Time, Chaos and the New Laws of Nature. Free Press, New York, USA.
42. Stacey, R. (1993) Strategy as order emerging from chaos. Long Range Planning, 26, 10-17.
43. Stacey, R. (2002) Strategic Management and Organisational Dynamic: the Challenge of Complexity. FT Prentice Hall, London, UK.
44. Svyantek, D. & DeShon, R. (1993) Organisational attractor: a chaos theory explanation of why cultural change efforts often fail. Public Administration Quarterly, 17, 339-355.
45. Thietart, R. & Forgues, B. (1995) Chaos theory and organisation. Organisation Science, 6, 19-31.
46. Thietart, R.A. & Forgues, B. (1997) Action, structure and chaos. Organisation Studies, 18, 119-143.
47. Tsoukas, H. (1998) Chaos, complexity and organization theory. Organization, 5, 291-313.
48. Van Eijnatten, F.M. & van Galen, M. (2002) Chaos, dialogue and the dolphin's strategy. Journal of Organisational Change Management, 15, 391-401.
49. Walsham, G. (1995) Interpretive case studies in information systems research: nature and method. European Journal of Information Systems, 4, 74-81.
50. Walsham, G. (2001 a) Knowledge management: the benefits and limitations of computer systems. European Management Journal, 19, 599-608.
51. Walsham, G. (2001b) Making a World of Difference: IT in a Global Context. Wiley, Chichester, UK.
52. Walsham, G. & Waema, T. (1994) Information systems strategy and implementation: a case study of a building society. ACM Transactions on Information Systems, 12, 150-173.
53. Watts, D. (1999) Small Worlds: The Dynamics of Networks Between Order and Chaos. Princeton University Press, Princeton, USA.
54. Weick, K.E. (1998) Improvisation as a mindset for organizational analysis. Organisation Science, 9, 543-555.
55. Wenger, E. (1998) Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.