Henk W.M.Gazendam // Variety Controls Variety (Wolters)

Variety Controls Variety
 

On the use of organization theories in information management

Information systems are constructs of the human mind that are practical for directing the use of information technology, especially computers, in organizations. In the ideas about what information systems are, organization metaphors and organization theories play an important role. If we would have a better insight into organization metaphors and organization theories, it would be possible to investigate the current way in which information systems are defined, and to think of totally different types of information systems. It would be interesting to observe the differences in successfulness and costs of information systems stemming from different organization metaphors.
This thesis offers such a better insight in organization metaphors and organization theories by explaining a method for the Conceptual Analysis and Specification of organization Theories (CAST), and applying it to Morgan's organization metaphors and Fayol's management principles. Fayol's theory turns out to be a rich, psychologically oriented theory using thirteen reasoning mechanisms and supposing five dynamic processes. Furthermore, a method for Pluralistic Information Management (PIM) is sketched, which is a toolbox offering alternatives for planning and control in information management, alternative information system concepts in the form of information system metaphors, and alternatives for the design of information systems architectures.
Finally, an in-depth case study is described in which three alternative approaches to information management struggle for power, and in which a significant difference in cost level between bureaucratic and person-oriented approaches to information management could be observed. The decentralistic person-oriented approach to information management turns out to deliver better results at a cost level that is 5 to 29 times lower than the centralistic bureaucratic approach.