The rhizome and the tree: changing metaphors for information organisation

Purpose – The paper aims to review Deleuze and Guttari's concept of the rhizome as a model for information organisation. Design/methodology/approach – This is a critical review of selected literature. Findings – The rhizome concept is a promising model for understanding hyperlinked information services. It may be of practical value, particularly if it can be integrated with more traditional forms of information organisation. More research, conceptual and practical, is needed before this can be achieved. Research limitations/implications – The literature review is not comprehensive, and the conclusions are open‐ended. Originality/value – This is the only paper to review the rhizome concept in this way.