Design Science Research Approach Research Articles

Development of a maturity assessment model for sustainable tourism

ABSTRACT Sustainability has become one of the most pressing worldwide concerns for the tourism sector. Destination managers face the challenge of developing strategies and assessing their success in pursuing sustainable development. However, the concept of sustainability is still vague, and existing measurement frameworks are complex and fail to sufficiently include relevant factors such as digitalisation. This article adopts a design science research (DSR) approach to address these issues, creating a conceptual solution for assessing sustainability in tourism destinations and providing directions for destinations’ future development based on a maturity model concept. Objectives for this conceptual solution are developed by critically reviewing relevant literature and existing assessment models for sustainable tourism and operationalised by designing a maturity assessment model for sustainable tourism. To validate this model, interviews with tourism experts and stakeholders are conducted in the Algarve region, Portugal. The study concludes by acknowledging limitations and offering directions for further research.

Toward Sociotechnical AI: Mapping Vulnerabilities for Machine Learning in Context

This paper provides an empirical and conceptual account on seeing machine learning models as part of a sociotechnical system to identify relevant vulnerabilities emerging in the context of use. As ML is increasingly adopted in socially sensitive and safety-critical domains, many ML applications end up not delivering on their promises, and contributing to new forms of algorithmic harm. There is still a lack of empirical insights as well as conceptual tools and frameworks to properly understand and design for the impact of ML models in their sociotechnical context. In this paper, we follow a design science research approach to work towards such insights and tools. We center our study in the financial industry, where we first empirically map recently emerging MLOps practices to govern ML applications, and corroborate our insights with recent literature. We then perform an integrative literature research to identify a long list of vulnerabilities that emerge in the sociotechnical context of ML applications, and we theorize these along eight dimensions. We then perform semi-structured interviews in two real-world use cases and across a broad set of relevant actors and organizations, to validate the conceptual dimensions and identify challenges to address sociotechnical vulnerabilities in the design and governance of ML-based systems. The paper proposes a set of guidelines to proactively and integrally address both the dimensions of sociotechnical vulnerability, as well as the challenges identified in the empirical use case research, in the organization of MLOps practices.

A Knowledg Graph Model for e-Government

Many governments around the world have invested huge amount of resource to build their e- Government capabilities, to meet government objectives of effective public service delivery and citizens engagement. The increase in size of an e-Government landscape has led to the increase in complexity of the infrastructure. This increasing complex infrastructure presents a challenge for governments to continue to meet its objectives. Knowledge Graph (KG), a constituent AI technology, has shown a lot of promise in helping governments meet its objectives in the midst of the complexity. A major aspect of this complexity is the need to maintain a single view of the world, in the form of a unified meaning of data, within a given e-Government instance, given the heterogeneity in data models used in the different departments within an e-Government instance. In this paper, we present a unique perspective in addressing the problem of deriving semantic meaning from disparate data in an e-Government context, using KG. Our aim is to advance the objectives of effective service delivery and citizens engagement in a complex e- Government instance. We focus on creating a data- centric architectural model that is single, simple and extensible, based on KG. We create a functional model based on architectural view and viewpoints from standards such as The Open Group Architectural Framework (TOGAF). The functional model highlights the various components that underpin the functions. We have developed our model within the context of a Design Science Research (DSR) approach, and we provide evaluation of same model within that context. An e- Government KG model guides the development of KG solutions in e-Government, in order to achieve the e- Government enterprise goals of effective service delivery and citizens engagement.

Integrating Lean Six Sigma and Industry 4.0: developing a design science research-based LSS4.0 framework for operational excellence

Acknowledging the potential benefits of integrating Industry 4.0 techniques into Lean Six Sigma-oriented process improvement initiatives, the current literature lacks a comprehensive guideline for the systematic incorporation of Industry 4.0 within Lean Six Sigma practices. To fill this gap, we have developed the LSS4.0 framework, employing a design science research approach. This framework serves as a structured integration model for Industry 4.0 and Lean Six Sigma, aimed at assisting organizations in their journey towards LSS4.0 implementation. Through iterative development and collaboration with experts in both Lean Six Sigma and Industry 4.0, the framework and its associated 14-step implementation process underwent evaluation using action research-based semi-structured interviews and demonstrations, featuring case studies from the automotive (F2) and mining (F3) industries. The outcomes demonstrated substantial operational enhancements, including reduced defects, improved on-time delivery, a 95% first-pass yield in F2, a 20% boost in energy efficiency, an increase in equipment effectiveness from 75 to 85% in mining operations, and a notable 30% decrease in unplanned downtime incidents, contributing to improved productivity and operational efficiency while reducing maintenance costs. This research significantly advances knowledge in Industry 4.0 and Lean Six Sigma, offering valuable insights and making a meaningful contribution to the broader field of quality management.

Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Mobile Solution to Improve Medication Adherence in Cancer: Design Science Research Approach.

Medication nonadherence negatively impacts the health outcomes of people with cancer as well as health care costs. Digital technologies present opportunities to address this health issue. However, there is limited evidence on how to develop digital interventions that meet the needs of people with cancer, are perceived as useful, and are potentially effective in improving medication adherence. The objective of this study was to co-design, develop, and preliminarily evaluate an innovative mobile health solution called Safety and Adherence to Medication and Self-Care Advice in Oncology (SAMSON) to improve medication adherence among people with cancer. Using the 4 cycles and 6 processes of design science research methodology, we co-designed and developed a medication adherence solution for people with cancer. First, we conducted a literature review on medication adherence in cancer and a systematic review of current interventions to address this issue. Behavioral science research was used to conceptualize the design features of SAMSON. Second, we conducted 2 design phases: prototype design and final feature design. Last, we conducted a mixed methods study on patients with hematological cancer over 6 weeks to evaluate the mobile solution. The developed mobile solution, consisting of a mobile app, a web portal, and a cloud-based database, includes 5 modules: medication reminder and acknowledgment, symptom assessment and management, reinforcement, patient profile, and reporting. The quantitative study (n=30) showed that SAMSON was easy to use (21/27, 78%). The app was engaging (18/27, 67%), informative, increased user interactions, and well organized (19/27, 70%). Most of the participants (21/27, 78%) commented that SAMSON's activities could help to improve their adherence to cancer treatments, and more than half of them (17/27, 63%) would recommend the app to their peers. The qualitative study (n=25) revealed that SAMSON was perceived as helpful in terms of reminding, supporting, and informing patients. Possible barriers to using SAMSON include the app glitches and users' technical inexperience. Further needs to refine the solution were also identified. Technical improvements and design enhancements will be incorporated into the subsequent iteration. This study demonstrates the successful application of behavioral science research and design science research methodology to design and develop a mobile solution for patients with cancer to be more adherent. The study also highlights the importance of applying rigorous methodologies in developing effective and patient-centered digital intervention solutions.

Development of a Framework of Key Internal Control and Governance Principles for Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

ABSTRACT Although robotic process automation (RPA) usage is growing rapidly in accounting, concerns are emerging regarding the internal controls and overall governance structure surrounding RPA. To help address these concerns, we use a design science research approach and work with a Fortune 500 company to develop an RPA governance framework. The framework consists of four governance areas and 14 control requirements, which help maximize the benefits and minimize the risks associated with the use of RPA. We validate that the framework is useful and generalizable to many organizations by presenting the framework to and subsequently interviewing and surveying 86 professionals at different organizations, including internal and external auditors, chief audit executives at several multinational corporations, academics, accounting and finance professionals, and other RPA stakeholders. Their feedback suggests the framework is successful in achieving its objectives.

Workshop digitalisation and its effect on manufacturing operations management: a new analysis method from a data quality perspective

ABSTRACT Workshop digitalisation (WD) provides a rich supply of real-time production data to achieve efficient manufacturing operations management (MOM). However, if data quality (DQ) cannot be ensured, manufacturing enterprises will not benefit from WD despite the resources invested. This study proposes a new method to evaluate the effect of WD from a data quality (DQ) perspective and identifies the root causes of WD failures at the operational level by information stream analysis based on an extended value stream mapping 4.0 (VSM4.0). The method is developed through a Design Science Research (DSR) approach and tested in an automobile parts manufacturer in China.

Services Integration in Tanzania e-Government Systems

The interoperability of information systems for public organizations is a significant opportunity for improved delivery of e-government services. However, the lack of e-government services integration is one of the issues preventing services from effectively reaching citizens in many developing nations, especially in this era of information technology advancement. Consequently, this paper aims to provide background information and a framework for comprehending the relevance of Tanzania's integration of e-government services. To understand the current state of the art and the prospects for system integration in government procedures, a thorough government institution Information Systems analysis was done to understand the magnitude of the problem. The survey revealed that the absence of electronic data exchange between public information systems leads to information system silos, which hinder efficiency and synergy in the provision of electronic services. A framework for e-government service integration is proposed utilizing a design science research approach to explain the possibilities of service integration in the public sector. The framework suggests harmonizing public institutions in e-government project plans, communicating e-government systems through a unified network, and establishing the e-government service catalog.

Designing a conversational agent for supporting data exploration in citizen science

Data is ubiquitous in today’s digitized society. However, access to and literacy in handling data plays a pivotal role in determining who can benefit from it and who can use—or potentially misuse—it. To combat inequalities and address issues such as misinformation, it is essential to enable citizens to effectively access and understand data within their local ecosystems. To address this challenge, we focus on the case of citizen science and propose using a conversational agent to support data exploration and lower barriers to citizen engagement in research projects. Using a design science research approach, we derive design principles and develop a prototypical artifact. Moreover, we conduct an experimental evaluation, demonstrating strong interest among citizens to participate in scientific data analysis and that conversational agents hold great potential in increasing data literacy.

Designing a wearable IoT-based bladder level monitoring system for neurogenic bladder patients

ABSTRACT Over the last years, the use of Internet of Things (IoT) systems in healthcare has increased due to technological advancements and increased availability of data. Sensor-based monitoring of physiological parameters, in particular, promises rich opportunities to promote overall health and self-management of patients suffering from chronic diseases. As such, neurogenic bladder patients lack sensation and control over their bladder while they could regain sovereignty over their bladder management through monitoring their physiological parameters. In this paper, we aim to develop a wearable IoT-based bladder level monitoring system for managing neurogenic bladder dysfunctions. We develop a set of design principles taking a stance from behaviour theory and implement the design principles in a software architecture following a design science research approach. Further, we evaluate and revise the developed artefact and implement a prototype of the software architecture. Our research contributes to IS research through prescriptive knowledge for IoT-based bladder level monitoring systems that can be transferred and generalised to similar areas of application. Further, we contribute to behaviour theory as we theorise a new type of trigger that we call a hybrid trigger.

Designing a user-centric mobile-based agro advisory system for sustainable development of smallholder farming systems in the eastern Himalayas, India

ABSTRACT The Interactive Information Dissemination System (IIDS), a unique mobile-based agro advisory system (MBAS), was put under study in the Design Science Research approach with 2820 farmers in Garo Hills of Meghalaya, India. The study aims to design and develop a user-centric MBAS (m4AgriNEI) for augmenting sustainable smallholder farming systems in hilly regions. The outcomes are critically analysed in the form of learning and experiences to make some necessary modifications to the design. The deployment of the initiative helped to make the m4AgriNEI more user-centric to satisfy the information demand of the resource-poor, smallholder tribal farming communities of the eastern Himalayas. A majority of beneficiaries (70.32%) provided positive responses on advisories through the IIDS generated feedback system. The study suggests the future scaling of MBAS initiative by adding a better knowledge management system, a robust feedback system, a way to track farmer-to-farmer (F2F) communication, and a public-private-community partnership (PPCP) approach.

Design science research and the co-creation of project management knowledge

The selection of an appropriate research design that provides a balance between rigor and relevance is a critical decision for scholars. The objective of this paper is to discuss the Design Science Research approach in project management research. The paper introduces the theoretical foundations of Design Science Research, its potential for co-creating new knowledge with practitioners, its rigor and relevance, and its challenges. It then provides examples of successful Design Science Research papers in project management research and implications for project management scholars who consider using this approach in their research.

Evaluating Design Guidelines for Intuitive, Therefore Sustainable, Virtual Reality Authoring Tools

Virtual reality software might be challenging to utilize for beginners and unskilled professionals who do not have a programming or 3D modeling background. Concurrently, there is a knowledge gap in software project design for intuitive virtual reality authoring tools, which were supposed to be easier to use. These tools are frequently insufficient due to a lack of support and standard operating procedures. This study evaluates the validity of fourteen design guidelines for the development of intuitive virtual reality authoring tools. Adopting the Design Science Research approach, a previous study completed the first steps of the protocol by identifying problems, defining solution objectives, and developing and demonstrating the design guidelines. This work evaluates their application in a experiment. A group of engineering students with no prior experience in creating virtual worlds were tasked with examining the design guidelines while using the NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise as an exemplary use case by following the tutorials in the platform. Previously, the students answered a Likert-scale questionnaire and a focus group interview, with eighteen questions about how they perceived these guidelines. An average score value for the tool was estimated through the questionnaire answers and a correlation analysis and, using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC), it was confirmed that most guidelines scores behaved as expected and were ranked according to the use-case functionality. The participants understood the guidelines’ definition and could decide if they agreed or disagreed with their presence during the experiment. We evaluated that, in accordance with the Design Science Research, the proposed artifact is useful, i.e., the design guidelines for virtual reality authoring tools perform what they are designed to do and are operationally reliable in accomplishing their goals.

Toward Seamless Mobility-as-a-Service

AbstractWith growing awareness of sustainability and convenience expectations, customers are increasingly demanding integrated and seamless mobility in the form of mobility-as-a-service (MaaS). However, as centralized MaaS platforms have thus far failed to integrate a critical share of mobility service providers (MSPs), travelers lack opportunities to efficiently combine the various mobility services required for seamless end-to-end itinerary coverage. Particularly, MSPs often refuse to collaborate by devolving control over customer interfaces or sensitive data owing to threats of market power concentration. While alternative blockchain-based approaches aim to provide equal market access, they cannot sufficiently align competing business goals and face substantial problems resulting from the replicated processing of sensitive data. Both researchers and practitioners have recently suggested decentralized digital identity management enabled by digital wallets as a promising mechanism to exchange verifiable identity attributes while mitigating problems related to data aggregation. Following a design science research approach, the article accordingly explores how digital wallets can address the shortcomings of existing approaches to MaaS. It contributes a novel IS architecture and principles for a design at the nexus of centralized and decentralized solutions to mitigate tensions between cooperation and competition. Further, the findings indicate that when building decentralized solutions, one should also consider components beyond blockchain and smart contracts.

The Development and Evaluation of an Animated Video for Pre- and Postoperative Instructions for Patients with Osteoarthritis-A Design Science Research Approach.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition in the hip or knee joints that develops during a long period of time and sometimes needs hip or knee joint replacement surgery when pain gets too intense for the patient. This paper describes how an animated video for pre- and postoperative instructions for patients with osteoarthritis was designed. The design science research (DSR) approach was followed by creating a web-based animated video. The web-based animated video is used to support surgical departments with education for patients suffering from OA. In the web-based animated video, information about OA surgical treatment and its pre- and post-arrangements was included. The relevance, the rigor, and the design cycles were focused on, with some iterations of and improvements in the animations. Even after implementation, there was a feedback-loop with comments from the surgeons and their patients. Moreover, as more departments will use the web-based animated video, they want to make their special mark on it, so that further changes will be made. This paper presents the design and successful implementation of an animated video for pre- and postoperative instructions for patients with osteoarthritis, tightly linked to the patient journey and the workflow of healthcare professionals. The animated video serves not only as a tool to improve care but also as a basis for further scientific research studies.

Visualization of Digital Transformation Initiatives Elements through ArchiMate Viewpoints

AbstractDigital transformation stems from a mix of personal and corporate IT environments and involves integrating digital technologies and business processes in a digital economy. As such, organizations expect that digital transformation improves performance, increases their reach, and ensures better business results. However, there is still a lack of (i) conceptual models to provide an accurate representation of the digital transformation elements; and (ii) standard visualizations of such elements to specific stakeholders. In a previous work, a reference model to support digital transformation initiatives using ArchiMate was proposed. In this paper, we address the second part of this problem regarding the need for specific visualizations. We followed the Design Science Research approach to learn how to identify the needs of the stakeholders, extending and improving the reference model through the design of a set of architectural viewpoints. We used the well-known ArchiSurance case to demonstrate the application of the viewpoints and semi-structured interviews to evaluate the proposal, providing insights to the discussion of the results obtained.

Facilitating business model transformation: Theory, operators, and patterns

Understanding Business Models (BMs) has become an essential capability for organizations seeking to drive growth, revitalize a lagging core or defend against industry disruption. However, this concept still has multiple interpretations, as it is often intertwined with others, like business strategy (BS), making it difficult for stakeholders to understand and re-design their own BMs. In fact, current tools including taxonomies, have encountered difficulties in providing mechanisms to guide this process. Seeking to contribute with the strengthening of the theoretical basis and with tools to transform BMs, in this work, we follow a Design Science Research (DSR) approach to provide a theoretical foundation for the concepts of BM, Business Model Patterns (BMPs), and BS under a formal conceptual representation. In doing so, we propose a language to describe a BM and we introduce a set of mechanisms to transform BMs. Finally, we provide a collection of BMPs that serve as the foundation for the application of these mechanisms. Thus, we aim to contribute to the development of a solid knowledge base to be used as a source of inspiration when restructuring, specializing, or creating new BMs.

Enhancing Organizational Culture and Productivity through Innovative Performance Appraisal: A Design Science Research Approach

Performance Appraisal is crucial for Human Resource Management (HRM) to determine compensation, enhance performance and develop competencies. Regular and comprehensive appraisals enable companies to devise effective strategies, boost productivity, and gain competitive advantage. The research aims to develop Performance Appraisal artifacts using Balanced Scorecard (BSC), 360°Feedback, and GE McKinsey 9 Box Matrix (GE Matrix), using Design Science (DS) research approach. This represents a novel contribution to the research. The implementation of the Design Science Research Method (DSRM) is described, emphasizing its focus on innovative information system designs to address practical organizational challenges. This study can be used as an additional reference for DS research on HRM.

Design Principles of Digital Storytelling for Children: A Design Science Research Case

Digital storytelling content has been usefully developed to enhance children's enthusiasm for learning. However, its production is impeded by no specific guidelines that help teachers and other stakeholders to design digital storytelling for children. With a design science research approach, this study focused on conceptualizing the functional and non-functional principles for designing digital storytelling. This study provided seven design principles to effectively design digital storytelling for children. The design principles in this study can increase the chance of digital learning resources and offer further research in the context of digital storytelling for children.

Three cycles of mobile app design to improve HIV self-management: A development and evaluation study.

Employing three cycles of Design Science Research (DSR) to develop a mobile app 'ESSC (Excellent Self Supervised HIV Care)' to improve self-management among people living with HIV (PLWH). This study is based on the DSR framework comprising three iterative cycles. In the Relevance cycle, PLWH participated in a survey of mobile health (mHealth) experiences and needs. In the Rigor cycle, the information-motivation-behavioural skills (IMB) model was applied to foundations of the app, and HIV specialists verified the contents. Experts evaluated the heuristic system and the app quality with the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). In the Design cycle, ESSC was built on the findings of the other two cycles, and end-users tested the usability using uMARS. The contents of the app were developed based on user requirements. The IMB model led ESSC to supplement motivational components for self-management, which built five functions: information contents; health life records including mental and sexual health; interactive counselling with healthcare providers; setting health goals after watching videos; and my page for self-reflection. To reduce social stigma and promote acceptance of the information-driven app, we created animated characters with neutral and bright features. The HIV specialists evaluated content validity as highly appropriate. The MARS score by the overall raters was between 3-acceptable and 4-good: functionality, 4.38; information, 4.12; aesthetics, 3.96; engagement, 3.37; and subjective quality, 3.25. The DSR approach is effective for implementing usable and useful mHealth. The ESSC app would be feasible and contribute PLWH to retention in care.