The Information Systems (IS) research discipline is undergoing a serious identity crisis, seeking its sphere of activity to be relevant in practice and rigorous in scientific considerations. One reason for this is the strengthening of the Design Science approach. This new discipline developed as a synergy from aspects of engineering, architecture, and industrial design and is employed in the design of IT artifacts and software systems. Design Science is becoming a powerful trend in IS research (Vahidov 2006). It gives the IS discipline a new and more detailed focal point as pertains to the application of software and IT artifact development which is growing in importance in IS research over the time (Weber 2003; Orlikowski and Iacono 2001; Cross 2001). IS practitioners ask for new and innovative design approaches, dealing with the evolving organizational and inter-organizational tasks. The way these tasks are executed, in close cooperation with the practical business world, seems to be insufficiently considered. The debate in IS research is carried out between traditional scientists and the knowledge-producing researchers/practitioners and “it could be argued that research aimed at developing IT systems, at improving IT practice, has been more successful and important than traditional scientific attempts to understand it” (March and Smith 1995, p. 252).
IS researchers are mainly focused on the behavioral impact of new IT solutions within a business unit. These concepts are needed to describe the relationship between the humans and the technology. However, this way of conducting research is descriptive and evaluative. Instead of telling “what is” or “what will be”, Design Science is giving guidance as to “how to do” things (Walls et al. 1992). The importance of this new approach is given through the rapid development of business needs and the increased necessity to solve business problems through the implementation of IT solutions. The knowledge base for designing new solutions has not yet been fully developed. IT consultants borrow knowledge from reference disciplines and apply this knowledge to present problems. This way of providing solutions is not compatible with Design Science as an area of research. A relevant design approach needs to give new answers to phenomena thus far unsolved. However, the IS discipline has not yet established a solid groundwork for Design Science within its discipline.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Motivation and Research Questions
- Structure
- Theoretical Background of Design Science
- Introducing the Design Concept
- Design Science as an Area of Research
- The Separation of Design Science and Natural Science
- Theorizing in Design Science
- Establishing a Philosophical Basis for Design Science
- Developing the Design Science Discipline
- Three Different Design Science Frameworks
- Building an Information System Design Theory for Vigilant EIS
- Design and Natural Science Research on Information Technology
- Design Science in Information System Research
- Identifying the Core Subject Matter of Design Science in IS research
- The IT Artifact
- The IT Work System
- Conclusion and Outlook
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis explores the evolving nature of Information Systems (IS) research, focusing on the rise of Design Science and its implications for the discipline. It investigates the challenges and tasks associated with establishing Design Science as a rigorous and relevant research approach within the field of IS.- The increasing influence of Design Science in IS research and its impact on the discipline's identity.
- The need for a new and more detailed focus on the application of software and IT artifact development within IS research.
- The contrasting perspectives of traditional scientists and practitioners in IS research, with emphasis on the practical needs of the field.
- The challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid development of business needs and the demand for innovative IT solutions.
- The need for a robust knowledge base for designing new IT solutions, moving beyond knowledge borrowed from reference disciplines.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introductory chapter establishes the motivation behind the research, highlighting the identity crisis within the IS discipline and the growing importance of Design Science. It also introduces the research questions that drive the thesis. Chapter 2 provides a theoretical framework for understanding Design Science. It introduces the concept of Design Science and explores its history, distinguishing it from natural science and discussing the unique methods of theorizing within this field. Chapter 3 delves into the development of the Design Science discipline, analyzing various frameworks proposed for its application within IS research. The chapter examines different approaches to design science, including the creation of Information System Design Theory, the integration of design research with natural science, and the development of a specific framework for Design Science in IS research. Chapter 4 focuses on identifying the core subject matter of Design Science within IS research. It defines the concepts of "IT Artifact" and "IT Work System," emphasizing their significance in Design Science research.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core keywords and topics addressed in this work are: Design Science, Information Systems research, IT artifact development, software design, practical relevance, scientific rigor, theoretical frameworks, research methodologies, knowledge base development, business needs, IT solutions. This thesis explores the emerging field of Design Science within the broader context of IS research, emphasizing the practical implications and the theoretical challenges associated with its development.- Quote paper
- Marsilius Graf von Ingelheim (Author), 2009, The Design Process in Information System Research, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/125917
