The basic entity model: A theoretical model of information processing, decision making and information systems

Abstract

The basic entity model was constructed to provide information processing with a better theoretical foundation. The human information processing systems are perceived as physical symbol systems. The artifacts or basic entities that these systems handle and that are unique to information (processing) theory have been observed. The four basic entities are data, information, knowledge and wisdom. The three postulates that are fundamental to the model are the law of boundary, the law of interaction, and the law of constructed (information) systems. The transformations of the basic entities taking place in the model create an information space that contains a set of information states in a particular knowledge domain. The information space then serves as the platform for decision making to be executed. The model is also used to analyze the structure of constructed information systems mathematically. The ontological, deep structure approach is adopted. A theoretical foundation of this nature is beneficial to unify all information-related disciplines. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.