Information - organization - decision: Some strange loops

Abstract

Acceptance of the theoretical foundations of Management Information Systems (MIS) has remained surprisingly high in the past twenty years, whereas information processing technologies have been improving at an incredible rate. This stability appears to be because the MIS model is based on the cybernetic model of organizations. We see, however, a conceptual crisis due in the development of more and more complex information systems and increased questioning of the deficiencies of organizational models based on cybernetic theory. This is particularly highlighted by the problems encountered in introducing the “bounded rationality paradigm” of H.A. Simon into the model. In this paper, we propose a new model that should be better adapted to contempory technology. This model allows both order and disorder to be included, while incorporating the concept of “organizational memory,” to improve the representation of a complex organizational information system with an action and process aspect.