Information, Systems and Information Systems : Making Sense of the Field [Hardcover]

Peter Checkland (Author), Sue Holwell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471958204 | ISBN-13: 978-0471958208 | Publication Date: November 27, 1997 | Edition: 1

Information, Systems and Information Systems making sense of the field Peter Checkland and Sue Holwell Lancaster University, UK Science-based technology helps to shape our lives, and no technology is more powerful in this respect than that associated with information. But the emerging linked fields of information systems and information technology are still in a very confused state. There is a torrent of technical developments but the concepts which bring structure to the field and make sense of it lag behind. This book seeks to dispel that confusion, and aims to make sense of IS and IT as a whole. Conventional theory bears little relation to the experience most people have with computer-based systems in organizations. Based on real-world experiences in both the private and public sectors, this book from Peter Checkland and Sue Holwell tackles the subject afresh. Information, Systems and Information Systems provides a practice-based approach to the thinking needed to underpin provision of information support in organizations. Starting from fundamentals, the book develops a coherent account of the field. The book is thus a work of conceptual cleansing. It presents a well-argued and tested account of IS and IT which is both holistic and coherent. The sense-making models which emerge can encompass any particular assumptions about the nature of organizational reality and management, whether 'hard' functionalist or 'soft' interpretive ones, though the authors' sympathies are with the latter.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book makes sense of the large, sprawling, confusing field of information systems (IS) and helps readers distinguish between information systems and information technology (IT). Based on author Peter Checkland's years of experience working with top international companies, this book explores the concept of IS as well as its practice in the real world.

From the Back Cover

Information, Systems and Information Systems making sense of the field Peter Checkland and Sue Holwell Lancaster University, UK Science-based technology helps to shape our lives, and no technology is more powerful in this respect than that associated with information. But the emerging linked fields of information systems and information technology are still in a very confused state. There is a torrent of technical developments but the concepts which bring structure to the field and make sense of it lag behind. This book seeks to dispel that confusion, and aims to make sense of IS and IT as a whole. Conventional theory bears little relation to the experience most people have with computer-based systems in organizations. Based on real-world experiences in both the private and public sectors, this book from Peter Checkland and Sue Holwell tackles the subject afresh. Information, Systems and Information Systems provides a practice-based approach to the thinking needed to underpin provision of information support in organizations. Starting from fundamentals, the book develops a coherent account of the field. The book is thus a work of conceptual cleansing. It presents a well-argued and tested account of IS and IT which is both holistic and coherent. The sense-making models which emerge can encompass any particular assumptions about the nature of organizational reality and management, whether 'hard' functionalist or 'soft' interpretive ones, though the authors' sympathies are with the latter.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 278 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (November 27, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471958204
• ISBN-13: 978-0471958208
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,062,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Essencial Reading at BPMS times, April 22, 2007

By 

Jorge Cordeiro Duarte "jcduarte" (Brasilia, Brasil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Information, Systems and Information Systems : Making Sense of the Field (Hardcover)

This book is a essential reading for anyone who wants to understand IS and IT problems. For those who want to achieve the BPM benefits this books is a pre-condition for sucess.
If you want to know all about data, information, organizations and how information systems aply to all of it, then read this book. Checkland and Holwell made an great service for the IS community.

4.0 out of 5 stars useful but not insightful, December 30, 2006

By 

J. Gross - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Information, Systems and Information Systems : Making Sense of the Field (Hardcover)

This is a good academic book - it reviews the field of information systems (as promised) quite comprehensively and comprehensibly, but doesn't offer much insight. Checkland's own research on soft system methodology doesn't exactly shine here. The chapter on development of radar is interesting (and as far as I know, historically accurate).

What really stands out about this book is that it serves as an excellent literature review - the references are extensive, useful, and on-target. Checkland and Holwell have certainly done a service by writing this book.