Homological transfer: an informations systems research method

Abstract

Information systems are members of a large class of similar systems called "productive processes". The existence of similarities between manufacturing, financial, educational, informational and other productive processes implies that the corresponding subjects Economics, Finance, Education, Information Systems, and so on should contain similar laws and techniques. Therefore, many a law or technique Mx that has been discovered in one productive subject Sx can potentially be transferred to another productive subject S0 as a homologous law or technique M0. These transfers can be accomplished by a five-step procedure:

1. Recognise the similarity between S0 and S0 processes. 2. Replace Mx concepts by concepts of S0 3. Verify Mx relationships for the S0 process 4. Re-use known Mx reasoning for the S0 process 5. Extend the reasoning to include unique concepts and relationships of S0.