Chain Communication Systems

Abstract

This article elaborates on large-scale chain communication between autonomous organisations and professionals focused on solving social problems. We introduce a dynamic chain concept combined with a special chain information strategy that may help us to better understand and anticipate the complexities of large-scale information exchange - with or without ICT – in a chain context lacking sufficient overall co-coordinating and enforcing authority. Many chain projects fail and large-scale systems produce unexpected negative side-effects or even backfire. We use the criminal law enforcement chain to explain how these adversities and negative side effects may disrupt a large-scale social system. This example stands as a model for other vital, large-scale systems such as identity management and health care management. At the core of such chains we have a chain communication system enabling the chain partners to co-operate effectively. Chain research at Utrecht University – now covering more than twenty three social chains in the Netherlands – has led to seven valuable insights and breaking views on the theory, practice and the content of chain analysis. We indicate ten challenges for information science and its practitioners as suggestions for future research and development.