The information loop as a general analytic view

Current predominant views of information systems (IS) are motivated more by design and engineering aims, than they are by the aims of empirical study. To better support the latter, the paper advances a general analytic view based on the notion of ‘information loops’ (I-loops) in organizations. An I-loop is understood to be anchored in an information context (I-context) from which it is pulled out conceptually for examination. Information systems (IS) are formal I-loops comprised of information acquisition (I-acquisition), information processing (I-processing), and information employment (I-employment) processes. An information store (I-store) provides data, models, and procedures in support of I-processing. The paper shows the usefulness of the I-loop view for empirical studies, both for basic IS description and for IS problem diagnosis and treatment.