Think Process, Think in Time: Advancing Study of Informing Systems

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to contribute to theorizing the process dimension of informing systems. The conceptualization draws on a framework called the Informing View of Organization and, particularly, on its segment of informing process. The article discusses the concept of informing process and its background in the process view of organization and explores the relationship between informing process and informing system on several examples. The main conclusion is that an informing system facilitates an initial positioning of a research (or practical) problem in systems terms, while the infoprocess stance enables dynamic and analytical view of connected activities that lead to business completion, modern technologies, and performance measurement. Parallels with complex systems theory are also demonstrated. Directions for further research are outlined.