Abstract
We have seen in Chapter 7 how real information systems behave, and have investigated in Chapter 8 what characterizes the formal aspects of such systems. It is apparent, however, that no matter how careful we are in analyzing and designing formal aspects of information systems, these parts will only make up a small portion of the total system. For this reason we have to approach information systems taking into account the crucial importance of the informal system.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Suggested reading
Douglas, Mary, In the Active Voice, London: RKP, 1982 A collection of essays by a distinguished anthropologist on how society informally creates systems of cultural values.
Holy, L. and Stuchlik, M., Actions, Norms and Representations, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983. An anthropological study of two domains of social reality: one formed by the notions and ideas people hold, their norms and how they represent them, and the other by the actions they perform. Of interest to students from many different disciplines.
Opie, Peter and Opie, Iona, The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1959. A fascinating book and a classic study of the behavior of schoolchildren at play. It shows how a large number of practices such as games, rituals, rhymes and chants have survived through the centuries, without any formal mechanism.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1990 J. Liebenau and J. Backhouse
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Liebenau, J., Backhouse, J. (1990). Informal systems. In: Understanding Information. Macmillan Information Systems Series. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-11948-6_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-11948-6_9
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-53680-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-11948-6
eBook Packages: Palgrave Business & Management CollectionBusiness and Management (R0)