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isation and to the environment -
the real world
(Checkland, 1981) - and its capacity to
explore, through reflection, ongoing changes according to the system's requirement and
up-to-date needs. Figure 9.4 illustrates this important process. Self-organisation can be
viewed as a basis for information systems development - it is flexible; a particular ap-
proach that adjusts to specific situations but is not necessarily information systems
modelling nor planning. It is a spontaneous process organised by reflection, communic-
ation and analysis of socio-technical systems.
Self-organisation can also contribute to creating a conceptual framework for non-struc-
tural, self-evolving knowledge networks. To help organisations make decisions and
solve problems in a collaborative way, these knowledge networks must be present and
therefore be able to reflect and share required information. This also supports information
systems by allowing the adequate development of communication channels, full parti-
cipation across the organisation and interaction of individuals (i.e. actors) within and
between systems and the environment.
Figure 9.4. The integration of reflection into self-organised processes.
The interaction of reflection and self-organisation will be discussed by viewing the de-
cision-making process in an organisation as being on three levels, as illustrated in Fig-
ure 9.5.
Figure 9.5. Levels of decision making in self-organised systems.
The first level consists of individuals (referred to as 'actors' in the previous section) who
may be faced with an unusual or complex situation, or have an idea or conjecture about
improvements to the area in which they work. The second level is composed of a
grouping or cluster of individuals who have a common purpose or problem. The third
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