ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a conceptual framework based on general systems theory to facilitate collaborative discourse among information-quality researchers and practitioners. The chapter examines a theoretical framework in which one can conceptualize the task of maintaining and enhancing the information quality in organizations. In addition, both academic researchers and executives reported interpretive capabilities, the ability to identify and define organizational implications of information quality, as most important in improving and maintaining the data quality. The chapter examines that information-quality work seen as mechanical systems, open systems, and human systems. The information-quality work that focuses on the mechanical data processing and storage such as computer algorithm development and database design could also be seen as working with mechanical systems. The mechanical systems, open systems, and human systems views to classify diverse information-quality skills and knowledge used in practice into three broad categories namely technical, adaptive, and interpretive capabilities.
