Informed Systems

Informed Systems

by Mary M. Somerville
Released July 2015
Publisher(s): Chandos Publishing
ISBN: 9780081002223

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Book description

By fostering principles of systems thinking and informed learning though an inclusive, participatory design process that advances information exchange, reflective dialogue, and knowledge creation, the Informed Systems Approach promotes conceptual change in workplace organizations. Informed Systems explores theory-based participatory action research and provides examples of agile process models for activating sustainable design, dialogue, and reflection processes in today’s organizations. This book also examines forward thinking frameworks for academic libraries, and how they can be used in the context of dynamically changing scholarly communications. Chapters further the expression of collaborative information practices that enrich information experiences by simultaneously advancing both situated domain knowledge and transferable learning capacity. Design (and redesign) activities well integrated into the workplace culture are expressed through sustainable processes and practices that produce rich information experiences. Informed learning both promotes and sustains continuous learning, including collective reflection on information sources, collaborative practices, and systems functionalities. In these ways, transferable topical understandings and information resiliency manifest action oriented intention to ensure improvements of real world situations.



  • Transferable critique of the leadership issues facing contemporary library organizations across the globe
  • Agile process models for activating sustainable design, dialogue, and reflection processes in today’s organizations
  • Theory-based participatory action research illustrations of the efficacy of systems thinking interventions
  • Forward thinking frameworks for academic libraries in dynamically changing scholarly communications contexts
  • Proven organizational transformation strategies, building upon theoretical concepts, for nimble responsiveness

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Copyright
  5. List of figures
  6. Foreword
  7. Preface
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. 1: Introduction
    1. Abstract
    2. 1.1 Early beginnings
    3. 1.2 Learning our way to change
    4. 1.3 Literature-based scientific learning model
    5. 1.4 Learning our way to action to improve
    6. 1.5 Systems thinking practice
    7. 1.6 Soft systems process outcomes
    8. 1.7 Learning organization design
    9. 1.8 Outward looking and looking forward
  10. 2: Informed systems genesis
    1. Abstract
    2. 2.1 A lifelong inquiry
    3. 2.2 Organizational context
    4. 2.3 Experiential antecedents
    5. 2.4 Contextual history
    6. 2.5 Participatory design
    7. 2.6 Organizations systems
    8. 2.7 Participatory action research
    9. 2.8 Organizational purpose
    10. 2.9 Organizational learning
    11. 2.10 Organizational design
    12. 2.11 Organizational leadership
    13. 2.12 Learning organization
    14. 2.13 Informed learning evolution
    15. 2.14 Learning reflections
  11. 3: Informed Systems approach
    1. Abstract
    2. 3.1 Contemporary conditions
    3. 3.2 Theoretical antecedents
    4. 3.3 Approach basics
    5. 3.4 Value proposition
    6. 3.5 Informed organizational learning
    7. 3.6 Organizational leadership essentials
    8. 3.7 Informed System Approach
    9. 3.8 Organizational knowledge creation
    10. 3.9 Workplace synergies
    11. 3.10 Systems design gestalt
    12. 3.11 Informed organizational outcomes
    13. 3.12 Concluding reflections
  12. 4: Informed Systems implementation
    1. Abstract
    2. 4.1 Organization description
    3. 4.2 Organizational reinvention
    4. 4.3 Organizational learning
    5. 4.4 Systems thinking
    6. 4.5 Organizational readiness
    7. 4.6 Reinvention genesis
    8. 4.7 Participatory systems design
    9. 4.8 Shared leadership
    10. 4.9 Shared Leadership Team
    11. 4.10 Professional information practices
    12. 4.11 Web-scale discovery service
    13. 4.12 Facility space redesign
    14. 4.13 Organizational capacity building
    15. 4.14 Informed leadership reflections
    16. 4.15 Concluding observations
  13. 5: Informed organization design
    1. Abstract
    2. 5.1 Organizational effectiveness roots
    3. 5.2 Information conception evolution
    4. 5.3 Informed Systems opportunities
    5. 5.4 Guiding principles
    6. 5.5 Informed organizational implications
    7. 5.6 Information experience impact
    8. 5.7 Designing information experience systems
    9. 5.8 Learning synergies
    10. 5.9 Informed Systems as information experience
    11. 5.10 Informed leadership insights
    12. 5.11 Informed Systems actions
    13. 5.12 Learning in action
    14. 5.13 Informed Systems initiation
    15. 5.14 Informed organization outcomes
  14. 6: From here to there
    1. Abstract
    2. 6.1 Framing the conversation
    3. 6.2 Learning organizations
    4. 6.3 Organizational leadership
    5. 6.4 Participatory design
    6. 6.5 Action research
    7. 6.6 Evidence-based information practice
    8. 6.7 Organizational learning
    9. 6.8 Learning organizations
    10. 6.9 Learning organization maturation
    11. 6.10 Toward beyond
    12. 6.11 Concluding reflections
  15. Attachments
    1. Attachment 1.1 Interactive media and information design course
    2. Attachment 1.2 Exercising disciplinary knowledge
    3. Attachment 1.3 Appreciative inquiry basics
    4. Attachment 1.4 Learning commons conception
    5. Attachment 1.5 Soft systems methodology: Basic learning process
    6. Attachment 2.1 Knowledge creation essentials
    7. Attachment 2.2 Unanticipated coincidences
    8. Attachment 2.3 Participatory action research elements
    9. Attachment 2.4 Organizational learning models
    10. Attachment 2.5 Phenomenography basics
    11. Attachment 2.6 Identifying and delineating information experience as a research domain: A discussion paper
    12. Attachment 2.7 Relational information conception
    13. Attachment 4.1 Auraria library organizational design fundamentals
    14. Attachment 4.2 Shared leadership reflections
    15. Attachment 4.3 Shared leadership team work outcomes
    16. Attachment 4.4 Auraria library report on communication systems
    17. Attachment 4.5 New way of working
    18. Attachment 4.6 “Getting to know” in library space planning
  16. Index

Product information

  • Title: Informed Systems
  • Author(s): Mary M. Somerville
  • Release date: July 2015
  • Publisher(s): Chandos Publishing
  • ISBN: 9780081002223