Information and Knowledge Systems [Paperback]

The purpose of this book is to question the relationships involved in decision making and the systems designed to support it: decision support systems (DSS). The focus is on how these systems are engineered; to stop and think about the questions to be asked throughout the engineering process and, in particular, about the impact designers’ choices have on these systems. 

This therefore involves identifying the elements of the problem of decision support systems engineering: the main objects and dimensions to be considered and the relationships they involve, issues at the levels of the decision-maker, of the organization (and even of society), the general approach to which to subscribe and so on.

PREFACE vii

INTRODUCTION xi

CHAPTER 1. INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY 1

1.1. The concept of information systems 1

1.2. History of the concept of information systems 5

1.2.1. The centralized processing stage (1950s–1960s) 5

1.2.2. The data decentralization stage (1970s–1990s) 6

1.2.3. The interoperability and standardization stage (1990s) 6

1.2.4. The universality and globalization stage (2000 onward) 7

1.3. What is “digital” technology? 9

1.4. Information systems and digital technology for business 11

1.5. Key points 15

CHAPTER 2. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 17

2.1. Historical overview 18

2.2. Knowledge Management: two dominant approaches 20

2.2.1. The technological approach 21

2.2.2. The managerial and sociotechnical approach to KM 22

2.3. Specific management principles for KM 23

2.3.1. Definl3: