Towards a sociomaterial ontology

Abstract

The management of social phenomena in conceptual modelling requires a novel understanding of the notion of representation. In particular, the principles for the existence and identification of objects need to be reconsidered. To do this, the paper draws on the current ontological discourse in information systems engineering and proposes a sociomaterial ontology for supporting conceptual modeling. The ontology shows how organisational entities are grounded in physical ones and how they can be understood in terms of deontic notions like privileges, duties and powers. The sociomaterial ontology is able to assist designers in creating understandable and robust conceptual models. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.