Enhancing IT Artifact Construction with Explanatory and Predictive Knowledge in Design Science Research

Abstract

Design science research (DSR) has become an area of interest within information systems (IS) through its possibility to develop information technology (IT) artifacts in a structured way and to derive theoretical findings at the same time. In this paper, we present findings from the development of three IT artifacts together with industry. We started these development projects with a strict DSR lens but soon realized that guidelines recommended by established DSR frameworks fall short when it comes to develop predictive and explanatory knowledge. In addition, existing DSR frameworks do not consider the non-linear, dynamic process of IT artifact development, especially when conducted together with partners from industry. Thus, in the aftermath we conducted a comparison between our research approach and resulting findings with relevant literature on theorizing in IS to generate explanatory and predictive knowledge in DSR. In so doing, we were able to enrich the IT artifact development process with techniques to generate explanatory and predictive knowledge. This paper summarizes our findings in a reflection of the three IT artifact development projects as well as illustrates how explanatory and predictive knowledge can be generated and used in DSR.