Design Science Research in Information Systems: A Critical Realist Approach

Abstract

Information systems (IS) research has serious utilization and relevance problems. To increase IS research utilization and relevance, scholars argue that the dominating behavioral IS research paradigm should be complemented with IS design science research. The most influential IS design science research schools have a strong focus on the IT artifact, in most cases an exclusive focus on the IT artifact. The schools have very little discussions and clarifications regarding underpinning philosophies, but most seem to be based on positivism, traditional realism, or pragmatism. This chapter presents, as a complement to the most influential design science research schools, an alternative approach for IS design science research. The approach builds on the premise that one of the most critical aims of IS design science research is to develop practical knowledge for the design and realization of different classes of IS initiatives, where IS are viewed as socio-technical systems and not just IT artifacts. The underpinning philosophy of the approach is critical realism which has been developed as an alternative to positivism and traditional realism as well as to constructivism (relativism). The developed practical IS design knowledge can be represented in different forms, for example, as heuristic design propositions, design exemplars and patterns, models or frameworks, and stories or narratives. The IS design knowledge can be developed using different methods and techniques. The chapter presents how practical IS design knowledge can be developed as well as the nature of the developed knowledge.