An Ontological Analysis of some Fundamental Information Systems Concepts

This paper describes how ontological concepts can be used to model information systems. We view an information system as an object that is independent of its use or its technology of implementation. The main premise of the model is that an information system is a representation of a real-world system, and as such it should possess certain characteristics, We show how the model can be used to define various concepts such as real-time, batch, data processing, management reporting, decision support, controls, and decomposition. Furthermore, we show how the model may serve as the foundation of a theory of systems analysis and design. In particular, it provides a formal definition of information systems specifications and a normative model of decomposition.