Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Information channel diagrams: an approach for modelling information flows

  • Published:
Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this article, the ‘information channel diagram’ (ICD) approach is introduced as a diagrammatical tool for modelling information flow during the delivery phase of organisations in which goods are deployed or delivered to customers. An initial review and evaluation of current tools for modelling information flow will be conducted based on the characteristics of information flow during the delivery phases in organisations. Diagrammatic primitives and a prescribed modelling methodology for developing an ICD will be presented, and a case scenario of the delivery phase of an organisation within the health care sector will be applied to demonstrate the use of the ICD. The article concludes by discussing some applications, generalisation potential and limitations of the ICD approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ball P., Albores P., Macbryde J. (2004) Requirements for modelling e-Business processes. Production Planning and Control 15(8): 776–785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Childerhouse P., Hermiz R., Mason-Jones R., Popp A., Towill D. R. (2003) Information flow in automotive supply chains—identifying and learning to overcome barriers to change. Industrial Management and Data Systems 103(7): 491–502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins S. T., Bradley J. A., Yassine A. A. (2010) Analyzing product development task networks to examine organizational change. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management 57(3): 513–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeMarco T. (1979) Structured analysis and system specification. Yourdon Press, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Doumeingts G. (1989) GRAI approach to designing and controlling advanced manufacturing systems in CIM environment. In: Nof S. Y., Moodie C. L. (eds) Advanced information technologies for industrial material flow systems. NATO ASI series. Springer, Berlin, pp 461–529

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Durugbo, C., Tiwari, A., & Alcock, J. R. (2009). An info-dynamic engine approach to improving the efficiency of information flow in a product-service system. In Proceedings of the 1st CIRP IPS2 conference (pp. 107–112).

  • Durugbo C., Tiwari A., Alcock J.R. (2011a) A review of information flow diagrammatic models for product-service systems. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 52(9–12): 1193–1208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durugbo, C., Tiwari, A., & Alcock, J. R. (2011b). Information flow for enhancing delivery: A study of microsystems companies. International Journal of Production Economics (To appear).

  • Ellis D. (1989) A behavioural approach to information retrieval design. Journal of Documentation 46(3): 318–338

    Google Scholar 

  • Fawcet S. E., Calantone R., Smith S. R. (1997) Delivery capability and firm performance in international operations. International Journal of Production Economics 51(3): 191–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Firesmith D., Henderson-Sellers B. (2002) The OPEN process framework: an introduction. Addison-Wesley, Harlow, Herts, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottschalk P. (1999) Strategic management of IS/IT functions: The role of the CIO in Norwegian organizations. International Journal of Information Management 19(5): 389–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hibberd B., Evatt A. (2004) Mapping information flows: A practical guide. The Information Management Journal 38(1): 58–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks B. J., Culley S. J., McMahon C. A. (2006) A study of issues relating to information management across engineering SMEs. International Journal of Information Management 26(4): 267–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hungerford B. C., Hevner A. R., Collins R. W. (2004) Reviewing software diagrams: A cognitive study. IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering 30(2): 82–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iskanius P., Helaakoski H., Alaruikka A. M., Kipinä J. (2004) Transparent information flow in business networks by using agents. IEEE International Engineering Management Conference 3: 1342–1346

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen P. (1995) Software testing, a Craftsman’s approach. CRC Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen K. A. (1998) Information modelling: Foundation, abstraction mechanisms and approach. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 9(6): 571–581

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim K. H., Lee J. H., Kim C. M. (2005) A real-time cooperative swim-lane business process modeler. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 3480: 176–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar R. (1996) Research methodology. Longman, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Kusiak A., Larson N., Wang J. (1994) Reengineering of design and manufacturing processes. Computers and Industrial Engineering 26(3): 521–536

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin F., Cheng T. C. E. (2007) The structural theory of general systems applied in management: The total relationship flow management theorems. International Journal of General Systems 36(6): 673–681

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lo Storto C., D’Avino G., Dondo P., Zezza V. (2008) Simulating information ambiguity during new product development: A forecasting model using system dynamics. International Journal of Modelling, Identification and Control 3(1): 97–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacIntosh R. (1997) Business process re-engineering new applications for the techniques of production engineering. International Journal of Production Economics 50(1): 43–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malecki E. J. (2002) Hard and soft networks for urban competitiveness. Urban Studies 39(5–6): 929–945

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sen T. (1992) Diagrammatic knowledge representation. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics 22(4): 826–830

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stapel K., Schneider K., Lübke D., Flohr T. (2007) Improving an industrial reference process by information flow analysis: A case study. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics) 4589: 147–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundin E. (2009) Life cycle perspectives of product/service systems: in design theory. In: Sakao T., Lindahl M. (eds) Introduction to product/service-system design. Springer, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Der Walt P., Van Brakel P. (2000) Task analysis of the webmaster: Results of an empirical study. Aslib Proceedings 52(1): 20–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang G., Das A. (2001) Models and protocol structures for software agent based complex ecommerce transactions. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2115: 121–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan P., Zhou M., Hu B., Feng Z. (1999) Modeling and control of workstation level information flow in FMS using modified Petri nets. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 10(6): 557–568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yazici H. J. (2002) The role of communication in organizational change: An empirical investigation. Information and Management 39(7): 539–552

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK

    Christopher Durugbo, Windo Hutabarat, Ashutosh Tiwari & Jeffrey R. Alcock

Authors
  1. Christopher Durugbo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Windo Hutabarat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ashutosh Tiwari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jeffrey R. Alcock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher Durugbo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Durugbo, C., Hutabarat, W., Tiwari, A. et al. Information channel diagrams: an approach for modelling information flows. J Intell Manuf 23, 1959–1971 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-011-0523-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-011-0523-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation