On the nature of inter-organisational information systems and the issue of adaptability

There is sound evidence that the tempo of change in the business world is increasing at an exponential level. Information systems (IS) as a consequence, are targets of this change and it can be argued that business IS for the '90s and beyond will be judged against not static but highly dynamic goals. They should therefore, be in a sense 'living systems' and offer a level of adaptability. With the environment getting increasingly complex and with inter-organisational information systems (IOS) on the rise-where the IS is not confined anymore within the context that is defined by a single organisation but spans across many boundaries-this will be a significant issue. Utilising concepts from systems theory, this paper considers the issue of adaptability through a number of questions in an attempt to conceptualise the nature that such systems must exhibit if they are to be successful.