What parallels and distinctions can be drawn between the concepts of systems, ecosystems and infoSystems?

Let’s give credit where credit is due and allow Donella Meadows to define a system as a set of things—people, cells, molecules, or whatever—interconnected in such a way that they produce their own pattern of behavior over time. A system consists of three kinds of things: elements, interconnections, and a function or purpose. Systems can also be nested within other systems, forming hierarchies. The system’s behavior is largely caused by its own structure.

Ecosystems are defined as systems comprising living organisms and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. These interactions involve flows of energy and matter through food webs, nutrient cycles, and other ecological processes. Ecosystems exhibit self-regulation, resilience to disturbances, and can evolve over time.

Exquando defines infoSystems as a dynamic system composed of information in all its forms, hardware, software, rules of all kinds, but also humans and their environment, all interacting as a functional unit. Ideally, this infoSystem is organized to provide each employee within an organization with reliable, high-quality information so that everyone can carry out their mission with confidence.

The three concepts—Meadows’ systems, natural ecosystems, and infoSystems—share fundamental characteristics of interconnectivity, nesting and hierarchy, dynamic behavior, and feedback mechanisms.

They differ considerably in their constituent elements, their primary purposes, and the nature of their governance or regulation.

The infoSystem can be considered a specific type of system within Meadows’ broader framework, focusing on information management in an organizational context.

What do you think about using the concepts of systems thinking to steer digitalization and the ‘AIfication’ of our increasingly complex world ?