Stone Rice Big dot Net

In this paper we outline a new methodical approach for integrating theories into the design research process. Incorporating theories in design projects allows design researchers to reason on the effects of the IT artifact prior to its instantiation. We argue that design decisions should be transparent claims of utility based on theory-grounded arguments. Documenting design decisions requires the design researcher to integrate appropriate theories and document the rationale behind a particular design decision. Overall, we demonstrate on the example of constructing a new modeling grammar how to integrate theories in the design research process and discuss conflicts which occur when applying these theories.

Gehlert, A.; Schermann, M.; Pohl, K.; Krcmar, H. (2009) Towards a research method for theory-driven design research, Paper accepted at the Wirtschaftsinformatik 2009, Wien, Austria.

Received Best Paper Award

IT-Lösungen sind kundenindividuelle und integrierte Kombinationen von Hard- und Softwareprodukten sowie Dienstleistungen, deren Profitabilität durch die sukzessive Standardisierung und Wiederverwendung nicht differenzierender Produkt-Dienstleistungskombinationen gesichert werden kann. Weil dies in der Regel nicht für die Gesamtlösung möglich ist, wird im Beitrag die SCORE-Methode vorgestellt, welche Anbieter bei der Analyse bestehender IT-Lösungen und deren Überführung in eine modulare Lösungsarchitektur unterstützt. Besonders großer Nutzen entsteht dabei durch die Identifikation von Systemleistungsmodulen, mit denen einzelne Hard- und Softwareprodukte sowie die daran zu erbringenden Dienstleistungen aufeinander abgestimmt, standardisiert und wiederverwendet werden. Ein Beispiel zeigt, wie die Anwendung der Methode die Entwicklung kundenindividueller IT-Lösungen verbessert.

Wirtschaftsinformatik, Vol. 50:3

Our paper “A pattern-based approach for constructing design theories with conceptual models” has been accepted at the ECIS 2007.

Here is what it is about:

In this paper we outline a new approach for constructing design theories in IS research by formulating theoretical statements as conceptual models. In recent history the philosophical and methodological aspects of design research have been in the focus of many research groups in IS research. We argue that applying conceptual models in the theory-building process enables design researchers to express hypotheses and underlying assumptions more accurately. Furthermore, our approach allows researchers to specify empirically refutable statements. We ground our work in the concept of IS design theories as proposed by Walls et al. (1992) and extend their idea twofold: first, based on an analysis of the output types of design research as proposed by March & Smith (1995) we incorporate conceptual modeling to formulate theory statements. Second, to facilitate developing concise testable theory statements, we apply the idea of patterns as proposed by Alexander (1973). Overall, we propose a detailed framework that integrates conceptual modeling in the process of theorizing in design-oriented IS research. Thus, we present an important step towards building “own” theories of IS research.

If you want to read it, just drop me a mail. Or we can discuss it at ECIS 07…

In the latest issue of MIS Quarterly is a very well-written overview of theories in information systems research. Gregor (2006) starts with analyzing the historical development of theories and develops a framework of categories for systematizing existing theories in IS research:

• Analytical theories
• Explanatory theories
• Predictive theories
• Combination of explanation and prediction
• Design and action theories

Furthermore, she presents examples for each of her categories in the framework. In the discussion she poses the question whether there should by any sequential relationship between these types. According to Gregor (2006) there is not sequence between the categories. Merely, analytical theories can be regarded as the foundations of other theory categories.

However, in line with her remarks on relationships between theories, the different theory categories can be seen as a stack. It is perfectly possible to start developing a theory which is following the underlying principle of one of the categories. However, you should never forget the overall picture. So research with a design research method, for instance, should refer to other types of research (e.g. founding on a predictive theory) and present its results in a way that research within a different theoretical category can be applied and used the results.

Overall this paper is worthwhile reading to get into the concept of theory in IS research. It summarizes exisiting theoretical streams and presents them coherently.

References

Gregor, S. (2006). The Nature of Theory in Information Systems. MIS Quarterly, 30(3), 611-642.