This book is intended primarily as a textbook for students of information systems, information technology and computer science. Students of management or administration who will be involved in establishing large information systems may also find it pertinent. It brings together material from a large variety of disciplines, including sociology, semiotics and management, as well as philosophical and anthropological studies of information. Part 1 sets out the basis for understanding information. Part 2 brings together the more theoretical material of semiotics with tangible material on organizations and institutions. The authors conclude with an analysis of how the various threads of issues studies can be brought together to give us a coherent view of both the underlying principles and the applications of the study of information systems.