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The Impact of Email on System Identity and Autonomy: A Case Study in Self-Observation

In: Systemics of Emergence: Research and Development

Author

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  • Lucio Biggiero

    (Universitá dell’ Aquila)

Abstract

Although at the core of systems theorizing, the concepts of system’s identity and autonomy are still lacking remarkable empirical tests. Both the characteristics come from recursive self-organizing and self-referential processes. In the case of human systems, they are mainly based on self-observation. This property takes place through cognitive and communication patterns. The present paper analyzes the COMMORG case, an international research team which, besides the formal identity given by the European Union administration, built up its own identity and autonomy during its working life. The COMMORG system set up its self-observation by means of three different methodological tools: emailing list analysis, genre repertoire analysis, and self-survey analysis. They show the structure and evolution of the communication patterns forging its identity and autonomy. The use of an emailing list revealed as the central means of communication, which enabled the development of the system’s identity in the form of a (virtual) international research team. The system identity, the identification and trust of its members, the communication patterns, and the semiotic patterns are recursively related to structural and social aspects, and change over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucio Biggiero, 2006. "The Impact of Email on System Identity and Autonomy: A Case Study in Self-Observation," Springer Books, in: Gianfranco Minati & Eliano Pessa & Mario Abram (ed.), Systemics of Emergence: Research and Development, pages 551-568, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-0-387-28898-7_39
    DOI: 10.1007/0-387-28898-8_39
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