Two paradigms characterize much of the research in the Information Systems discipline: behavioral science and design science The behavioral-science paradigm seeks to develop and verify theories that explain or predict human or organizational behavior The design-science paradigm seeks to extend the boundaries of human and organizational capabilities by creating new and innovative artifacts Both paradigms are foundational to the IS discipline, positioned as it is at the confluence of people, organizations, and technology Our objective is to describe the performance of design-science research in Information Systems via a concise conceptual framework and clear guidelines for understanding, executing, and evaluating the research In the design-science paradigm, knowledge and understanding of a problem domain and its solution are achieved in the building and application of the designed artifact Three recent exemplars in the research literature are used to demonstrate the application of these guidelines We conclude with an analysis of the challenges of performing high-quality design-science research in the context of the broader IS community

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Design science in information systems research

The paper motivates, presents, demonstrates in use, and evaluates a methodology for conducting design science (DS) research in information systems (IS). DS is of importance in a discipline oriented to the creation of successful artifacts. Several researchers have pioneered DS research in IS, yet over the past 15 years, little DS research has been done within the discipline. The lack of a methodology to serve as a commonly accepted framework for DS research and of a template for its presentation may have contributed to its slow adoption. The design science research methodology (DSRM) presented here incorporates principles, practices, and procedures required to carry out such research and meets three objectives: it is consistent with prior literature, it provides a nominal process model for doing DS research, and it provides a mental model for presenting and evaluating DS research in IS. The DS process includes six steps: problem identification and motivation, definition of the objectives for a solution, design and development, demonstration, evaluation, and communication. We demonstrate and evaluate the methodology by presenting four case studies in terms of the DSRM, including cases that present the design of a database to support health assessment methods, a software reuse measure, an Internet video telephony application, and an IS planning method. The designed methodology effectively satisfies the three objectives and has the potential to help aid the acceptance of DS research in the IS discipline.

A Design Science Research Methodology for Information Systems Research

The aim of this research essay is to examine the structural nature of theory in Information Systems. Despite the importance of theory, questions relating to its form and structure are neglected in comparison with questions relating to epistemology. The essay addresses issues of causality, explanation, prediction, and generalization that underlie an understanding of theory. A taxonomy is proposed that classifies information systems theories with respect to the manner in which four central goals are addressed: analysis, explanation, prediction, and prescription. Five interrelated types of theory are distinguished: (1) theory for analyzing, (2) theory for explaining, (3) theory for predicting, (4) theory for explaining and predicting, and (5) theory for design and action. Examples illustrate the nature of each theory type. The applicability of the taxonomy is demonstrated by classifying a sample of journal articles. The paper contributes by showing that multiple views of theory exist and by exposing the assumptions underlying different viewpoints. In addition, it is suggested that the type of theory under development can influence the choice of an epistemological approach. Support is given for the legitimacy and value of each theory type. The building of integrated bodies of theory that encompass all theory types is advocated.

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The nature of theory in information systems

Design science research (DSR) has staked its rightful ground as an important and legitimate Information Systems (IS) research paradigm We contend that DSR has yet to attain its full potential impact on the development and use of information systems due to gaps in the understanding and application of DSR concepts and methods This essay aims to help researchers (1) appreciate the levels of artifact abstractions that may be DSR contributions, (2) identify appropriate ways of consuming and producing knowledge when they are preparing journal articles or other scholarly works, (3) understand and position the knowledge contributions of their research projects, and (4) structure a DSR article so that it emphasizes significant contributions to the knowledge base Our focal contribution is the DSR knowledge contribution framework with two dimensions based on the existing state of knowledge in both the problem and solution domains for the research opportunity under study In addition, we propose a DSR communication schema with similarities to more conventional publication patterns, but which substitutes the description of the DSR artifact in place of a traditional results section We evaluate the DSR contribution framework and the DSR communication schema via examinations of DSR exemplar publications

https://www.misq.org/skin/frontend/default/misq/pdf/appendices/2013/V37I2_Appendices/GregorHevnerAppendices.pdf

Positioning and presenting design science research for maximum impact

This paper defines an information system design theory ISDT to be a prescriptive theory which integrates normative and descriptive theories into design paths intended to produce more effective information systems. The nature of ISDTs is articulated using Dubin's concept of theory building and Simon's idea of a science of the artificial. An example of an ISDT is presented in the context of Executive Information Systems EIS. Despite the increasing awareness of the potential of EIS for enhancing executive strategic decision-making effectiveness, there exists little theoretical work which directly guides EIS design. We contend that the underlying theoretical basis of EIS can be addressed through a design theory of vigilant information systems. Vigilance denotes the ability of an information system to help an executive remain alertly watchful for weak signals and discontinuities in the organizational environment relevant to emerging strategic threats and opportunities. Research on managerial information scanning and emerging issue tracking as well as theories of open loop control are synthesized to generate vigilant information system design theory propositions. Transformation of the propositions into testable empirical hypotheses is discussed.

Building an Information System Design Theory for Vigilant EIS

More than a decade has passed since the publication of the first article on building information systems design theories (ISDT) that appeared in Information Systems Research (Walls, Widmeyer, and El Sawy, 1992). Using the context of designing vigilant executive information systems, it articulated how to construct and test an ISDT that could prescriptively guide the design of a particular class of information system. The paper argued that successful construction of ISDTs would create an endogenous base for theory in the IS discipline, and could be used by scholars to prescribe design products and processes for different classes of information systems as they emerged. This paper reviews ISDT and assesses how it has been used by IS scholars since that 1992 publication. It attempts to determine how useful the Walls et. al. ISDT has been in guiding design and helping theoretical development. The paper assesses the extent and practicality of its use as a theory building framework, and draws on samples of the various IS scholars have taken advantage of it in 26 papers to-date. The paper diagnoses the reasons for the limited use of ISDT and makes recommendations for enhancing its usability and adoption in the IS research community. A BRIEF PERSONALIZED HISTORY OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN THEORY - PART 1 Build it and they will come. Or so we thought - when we published what we believe to be the first article on constructing information systems design theories. The article was titled "Building an Information System Design Theory for Vigilant EIS" and appeared in 1992 in the IS field's top journal Information Systems Research. Using the context of designing vigilant executive information systems, it articulated how to construct and test an Information Systems Design Theory (ISDT) that could prescriptively guide the design of a particular class of information system. The paper argued that successful construction of ISDTs would create an endogenous base for theory in the IS discipline, and could be used by scholars to prescribe design products and processes for different classes of information systems as they emerged. The paper received very favorable reviews from referees while in the reviewing cycle (which is rare) and the revisions requested were minor. We were proud of our paper and its contribution, and we thought we had set the stage to show other scholars how to build design theories for different types of information systems, and had provided a foundation for strengthening the endogenous base for theory development in the IS research community. The deluge never came, but rather it was fairly limited use. True, each of the three authors embarked on other pursuits and none of us actively evangelized about the virtues of ISDT, but then we presumably also thought that a wellplaced journal article in the flagship Information Systems Research would be noticed by serious scholars if they needed to take advantage of it. Our most recent literature search shows 26 articles that have used this paper and ISDT in the 12 year span since it was published. A BRIEF PERSONALIZED HISTORY OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN THEORY-PART 2 Triggered by the editor of this special issue, we started to examine how ISDT (and especially ours) had been used by IS scholars in the last dozen years. We sought to answer the questions: How useful are ISDTs? How useful was the Walls et. al. rendition of ISDT? (especially that it seemed to be the very first). Is design theorising practically possible, and does it differ from other types of theory? Why has the use of ISDTs (mostly ours) been limited? Are they just formalisms or do they help provide new insights? Are they too cumbersome and unwieldy to work with? What is the next step in advancing ISDTs? We were further triggered by an excellent article titled "Design Science in Information Systems Research" in the March 2004 issue of MIS Quarterly (Hevner, March, Park, and Ram, 2004). …

Assessing Information System Design Theory in Perspective: How Useful Was our 1992 Initial Rendition?

The paper suggests enhancements to executive information systems (EIS) aimed at reducing equivocality associated with the managerial activities of scanning, communicating, and delegating based upon mathematical models from the field of semiotics. Prior research has shown that these activities are significant components of managerial behavior. They are similar in that each entails the use of abbreviated messages to transfer information which represents a much larger body of knowledge. This paper investigates factors affecting equivocality in these activities and constructs an upper bound on the degree to which they can reduce equivocality. >

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel2/882/4724/00184137.pdf

Theoretical foundations for the design of executive information systems in equivocal environments

Current information center (IC) practices are compared with practices prescribed in the literature. This has been accomplished by surveying several southern California ICs using semistructured questionnaires during onsite interviews. Preliminary findings based on data from three sites are reported. The results were mixed, showing both convergence and divergence with prescriptions in the literature. >

A survey of current information center practices in southern California

Much has been written in both academic and practitioner literature concerning the role, structure, operation and direction of the Information Center IC. The purpose of our study was to conduct an exploratory survey of ICs. On-site interviews, in 20 organizations, were conducted to determine the current status of the IC as well as its future direction. A semistructured questionnaire containing one hundred fourteen questions was used. Four areas were researched: the nature of the user community, the initial and current attitudes regarding the formation of ICs, the organizational impacts of the ICs, and issues of major concern for ICs. The most important finding of this survey is that the use of the IC increases as the ICs become older and this usage is not declining as user sophistication increases. The paper ends with a brief comparison of our findings with other empirical studies and an outline for future research.

Joseph G. Walls

Papers

Building an Information System Design Theory for Vigilant EIS

Assessing Information System Design Theory in Perspective: How Useful Was our 1992 Initial Rendition?

Theoretical foundations for the design of executive information systems in equivocal environments

A survey of current information center practices in southern California

Usage of and Support for Information Centers: An Exploratory Survey