A realist conceptualization for studying information system development methodology
Author
Summary, in English
It is tempting to assume that Information Systems Development Methodology (ISDM) is clearly understood because it has attracted researchers across a range of research fields offering a rich set of descriptions and explanations of ISDM. Although there are considerable studies on ISDM, this paper argues that different disciplinary interests have resulted in fragmented assessments. Consequently, this paper seeks to bridge the gap between different research streams which reflect different theoretical approaches in assessing ISDM. The overall purpose of the paper is to provide an alternative conceptualisation of ISDM i.e. from an IS design science perspective, which is theoretically grounded in realist social theory. Based on the alternative conceptualisation of ISDM, that retains the valuable insights of prior works, a tentative design proposition is developed. The design proposition consists of a combination of interventions and provides high-level guidance for designing initiatives of a particular IS class, i.e., ISDM initiative, by emphasizing what to do and why in order to achieve particular outcomes. Hence, the paper addresses the following research question: How to conceptualise an ISDM initiative? The research methodology applied involves an explorative field study research strategy based on a literature review and qualitative analysis procedure.
In this paper four theoretical perspectives on ISDM are identified. While each perspective regarded in isolation provides different overarching depictions of ISDM, together they reveal the complexities and ambiguities of this multifaceted phenomenon. The study provides an alternative ISDM conceptualisation and a tentative design proposition for designing ISDM initiatives. From a theoretical point of view, the implicit claim is that the suggested conceptualization of ISDM will facilitate conceptual bridges between different research streams and aid scholars and practitioners to understand the complexity of ISDM. From a practitioner perspective, the tentative design proposition developed in the paper provides guidance more accurately in assessing and designing ISDM initiatives. The alternative IS design science research approach to studying ISDM with a realist conceptualization is, in our opinion, an appropriate way to start and lays the groundwork for useful follow-on research.
In this paper four theoretical perspectives on ISDM are identified. While each perspective regarded in isolation provides different overarching depictions of ISDM, together they reveal the complexities and ambiguities of this multifaceted phenomenon. The study provides an alternative ISDM conceptualisation and a tentative design proposition for designing ISDM initiatives. From a theoretical point of view, the implicit claim is that the suggested conceptualization of ISDM will facilitate conceptual bridges between different research streams and aid scholars and practitioners to understand the complexity of ISDM. From a practitioner perspective, the tentative design proposition developed in the paper provides guidance more accurately in assessing and designing ISDM initiatives. The alternative IS design science research approach to studying ISDM with a realist conceptualization is, in our opinion, an appropriate way to start and lays the groundwork for useful follow-on research.
Department/s
Publishing year
2010
Language
English
Publication/Series
Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Information Management and Evaluation (ICIME 2010)
Document type
Conference paper
Publisher
Acad Conferences Ltd
Topic
- Information Systems, Social aspects
Keywords
- Information Systems Development Methodology
- ISDM
- perspectives on ISDM
- design proposition
- realist conceptualisation
Conference name
The 1st International Conference on Information Management and Evaluation (ICIME 2010)
Conference date
2010-03-15
Conference place
Cape Town, South Africa
Status
Published