An Information Systems Design Theory for Knowledge-Based Organizational Learning Systems

Abstract

The field of information systems (IS) is divided into “design science,” which is more engineering oriented, and “natural science,” which is more management oriented. This paper believes that such a conflict is detrimental to the cause of research in IS, especially because both design and natural science have a wealth of knowledge to give to and to learn from each other, and a symbiotic relationship between the two research interests could tremendously increase the contribution of IS research as a whole. As an example, this paper uses theory from natural science to guide building and evaluating an artifact using design science. Specifically, I develop an information systems design theory to provide a prescriptive conceptual design of an organizational learning system using design science that addresses the shortcomings of on knowledge management systems and organizational learning systems identified in natural science research.