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

Internationalizing service processes within internationally operating service providers requires service managers to balance the potential of internationally standardized service processes and the local need for adaptation in individual subsidiaries. This process carries the risk of conflicts arising from differences in prerequisites or other necessities. Despite being pivotal to successful service internationalization, surprisingly little guidance can be found regarding the actual procedure of identifying and resolving international adaptations. We present an approach in systematically identifying, discussing and resolving such conflicts while maintaining corporate standards. Our approach is based on a participatory workshop bringing together participants from different subsidiaries. It uses graphical models as vehicles to continuously document, guide and reflect on the current state of the discussion. We rely on a case study with a globally operating facility management provider to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of our approach. We contribute to effective service internationalization by presenting a systematic approach towards identifying and resolving conflicts arising from different prerequisites and perspectives taken by parent companies and their affiliates based on conceptual models.

Prilla, M.; Reuter, U.; Schermann, M.; Herrmann, T.; Krcmar, H. (2009) Model-based conflict resolution in service internationalization: A participatory approach, Paper accepted at the Jahrestagung der Wissenschaftlichen Kommission Internationales Management im VHB, Berlin, Germany.

Der technologische Fortschritt mit kurzen Lebenszyklen und häufig überraschenden Entwicklungen konfrontiert Unternehmen mit einer Vielzahl potenzieller Innovationen für die Weiterentwicklung ihres Informationssystems. Zur Sicherung strategischer Vorteile sollten Unternehmen potenzielle IT-Innovationen früh erkennen und deren Relevanz für das eigene Informationssystem bewerten können. Vor diesem Hintergrund entwickelt Michael Schermann eine Methode für die Innovationsfrühaufklärung, welche zunächst technologische Entwicklungen in Form von IT-Mustern strukturiert. Diese Muster bilden dann den Rahmen einer Szenarioanalyse und -bewertung. Die Grundlage der Methode bildet eine Analyse von Konzepten und Ansätzen aus den Bereichen der strategischen Frühaufklärung und des Technologie- und Innovationsmanagements. Das Buch richtet sich an Fach- und Führungskräfte, die in den Bereichen Informationsmanagement oder Technologiemanagement tätig sind, sowie an Lehrende und Studierende der Wirtschaftsinformatik.

Schermann, M. (2008) Strategische Frühaufklärung für Informationstechnologie: IT-Muster, Szenarioanalyse, Methode. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, Saarbrücken. ISBN: 9783836452724.

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

“The service-dominant logic advocates that service (singular) involves value-cocreation interactions as service systems create, propose and realise value propositions. The interactions may include things, actions, information and other resources. Value propositions are built on the notion of asset sharing, information sharing, work sharing (actions), risk sharing as well as other types of sharing that can create value in customer-provider interactions.” (IfM and IBM 2008, p. 17)

“The need for more business-to-business service research, including global logistics and lean operations is growing. The trend toward self-service technologies that provision service locally, but are often deployed and maintained by globally integrated enterprises, will drive demand for in-the-field maintenance and security service capabilities.” (IfM and IBM 2008, p. 26)

Source: University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). 2008. “Succeeding through Service Innovation: A Service Perspective for Education, Research, Business and Government,” University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing, Cambridge, UK.

Although reference models are focal research objects in our discipline, surprisingly little guidance can be found on the actual process of identifying and resolving adaptations to reference models. Hence, we present a participatory workshop approach that enables participants to resolve on adaptations by model-based discourse. We found that three design principles influence the outcome of the workshop: First, we argue that reference model should be constructed as a set of modules to reduce the complexity of adaptation tasks. The modules come with a domain-specific set of adaptation triggers. Second, we applied a discursive process walkthrough. We use the triggers as guiding questions during this phase. Third, when the participants resolved on an adaptation to the model, they additionally had to agree on action items that are necessary to implement the adaptations made. Overall, our workshop approach closes the gap between construction and use of reference models.

Link.

Frey, B. S. (2002) Publishing as prostitution? – Choosing between one’s own ideas and academic success. Public choice, 116: 205-223.

Survival in academia depends on publications in refereed journals. Authors only get their papers accepted if they intellectually prostitute themselves by slavishly following the demands made by anonymous referees who have no property rights to the journals they advise. Intellectual prostitution is neither beneficial to suppliers nor consumers. But it is avoidable. The editor (with property rights to the journal) should make the basic decision of whether a paper is worth publishing or not. The referees should only offer suggestions for improvement. The author may disregard this advice. This reduces intellectual prostitution and produces more original publications.

However, a quick look at the Standards of MIS Quarterly reveals that

[a]ssociate editors are guided by the recommendations of reviewers, but they do not necessarily comply with the majority recommendation of the reviewers. Instead, they are required to make their own judgment on the merits of a paper. Similarly, senior editors are guided by the recommendations of reviewers and associate editors, but they are required to make their own judgments on the merits of a paper.

The paper still has to fit the world view of the editors, tough . And my guess would be, that these guys can spot the flaws of a paper viewed from a mile away.

Some good advice on how to publish your research can be found here:

Lee, A.S. “Crafting a paper for publication,” Communications of the Association of Information Systems (20:7), 2007, pp. 33-40.

Adapted from [1], I found this set of questions very helpful in determining whether to believe or not to believe:

1. What is the paper about?
2. What is the central claim?
3. What would be a good set of arguments to substantiate this claim
4. What are the actuals arguments brought forward by the author?
5. Why does the author establish these specific arguments
6. What is the quality of the arguments?

I think No. 3 is the most important question. Answering this question will also help in suggesting improvements in the review.

[1] Bördlein, C (2002): Das sockenfressende Monster in der Waschmaschine. Eine Einführung ins skeptische Denken (in German). Alibri, Aschaffenburg.

Via vowe.

ROTFLMAO!