Adapting IMOI for Information Systems: Toward a Cyclical and Mediated View of System Design

Abstract

The Input–Process–Output (IPO) framework has long guided organizational and Information Systems (IS) research. While valued for its clarity, IPO reduces process to a black box and treats outputs as final rather than cyclical, limiting its usefulness in dynamic IS environments where iteration and socio-technical integration are essential. This paper conceptually adapts the Input–Mediator–Output–Input (IMOI) model, first developed in organizational science, for IS system design. A layered comparison with IPO, data flow diagrams (DFDs), and CRUD logic situates IMOI within the IS development stack, and the conceptual analysis is supported by a case vignette of a university mobile system. IMOI reframes process into three families of mediators (technical, cognitive, and affective) that can be observed, measured, and adjusted across cycles. Outputs, including prototypes, user analytics, and stakeholder feedback, are explicitly treated as inputs for subsequent iterations. The findings suggest that IMOI preserves IPO’s clarity while adding diagnostic depth and cyclical adaptability. By emphasizing mediators and feedback, IMOI offers a stronger conceptual foundation for designing, evaluating, and governing modern information systems.