Philosophical Frameworks for Understanding Information Systems

Information systems have five main areas of research and practice in which humans relate to information and communications technology. Typically isolated from one another, these areas are: the nature of computers and information, the creation of information technologies, the development of artifacts for human use, the usage of information systems, and information technology as our environment. Philosophical Frameworks for Understanding Information Systems strives to develop philosophical frameworks for these five areas and provides researchers, scholars, and provides practitioners in fields such as information systems, public administration, library science, education, and business management with an exemplary reference resource.

Dr. Andrew Basden is Professor of Human Factors and Philosophy in Information Systems at the University of Salford, UK. After obtaining a first class honours degree in Electronics and a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer-Aided Design at the University of Southampton, he spent 14 years in computer programming in applications and expert systems in the pharmaceutical, health, chemical and construction sectors, before returning to academic life in 1987. Since then he has taught and published in a wide range of fields, including knowledge based systems, knowledge acquisition, development methodologies, databases, multimedia, business information systems, human computer interaction, human factors, critical studies and philosophy. He is founder member of the international Centre for Philosophy, Technology and Social Systems. He is also a follower of Jesus Christ and a green activist, and has always tried to integrate all areas of his life into a coherent life-and-world-view.