Design Science Research In Information Systems Research Articles

Depression Detection Using Digital Traces on Social Media: A Knowledge-aware Deep Learning Approach

ABSTRACT Depression is a pressing yet underdiagnosed issue in health management. Because depressed patients share their symptoms, life events, and treatments on digital platforms, information systems (IS) scholars resort to user-generated digital traces for depression detection. While they facilitate innovative information technology (IT) approaches to alleviate the social and economic burden of depression, most studies lack effective means to incorporate domain knowledge in depression detection systems or suffer from feature extraction difficulties. Following the design science research in IS, we propose a Deep-Knowledge-Aware Depression Detection system to detect social media users at risk of depression and explain the detection factors. We deploy extensive empirical analyses to evaluate our designed IT artifact, which shows domain knowledge greatly improves performance. Our work has significant implications for IS research in knowledge-aware machine learning, digital traces utilization, and generalizable design principles. Practically, the early detection and factor explanation from our IT artifact can assist depression management and enable large-scale assessment of the population’s mental health.

Getting Around to It: How Design Science Researchers Set Future Work Agendas

Abstract Background: There is a long tradition of writing about future work in research papers, and information systems design science research (IS DSR) is no exception. However, there is a lack of studies on (1) how IS DSR authors currently envision the next steps for their work and (2) guidelines to improve the communication of opportunities to accumulate knowledge. Method: This paper contributes to this topic, building on a systematic literature review of 123 IS DSR papers published between 2018 and 2022. Results: Design-oriented research requires the research team to decide which tasks to carry out immediately in building the future and which to postpone as research debt. The paper's contribution is threefold. First, we propose a research debt lifecycle to support (1) project stakeholders, (2) IS DSR community, and (3) societies looking for better futures. Second, we discuss the anatomy of future work in recent IS DSR. Finally, we suggest guidelines to manage and report the next research steps. Conclusion: This paper presents a pioneering assessment of future work suggestions in the IS field, focusing on the design science research paradigm. Future work directions emerge from researchers' choices during the IS DSR process that must be continuously managed.

Editorial Special Issue: Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology

The papers in this special section focus on design science research in information systems and technology. The rapid digital transformation of businesses and society creates new challenges and opportunities for information systems (IS) research, with the designing of system becoming a strong focus. Technologies, such as blockchain, cloud computing, and wearable devices, have spawned a paradigmatic shift in the design of IS. Thus, design science research in IS has evolved to become a mature yet thriving area of research. Design science seeks to extend the boundaries of human and organizational capabilities by designing new and innovative constructs, models, methods, processes, and systems. Scholars having diverse backgrounds in fields, such as IS, computer science, software engineering, energy informatics, and medical informatics, are actively engaged in generating novel solutions to interesting design problems in IS.

An ML-extended conceptual framework for implementing temporal big data analytics in organizations to support their agility

The main aim of this paper is to present the machine learning (ML) extension to the authors’ original conceptual framework for implementing temporal big data analytics (TBDA) in organizations. The framework has been also supplemented with a ML-supported feedback loop aimed at ongoing verification of the organization's maturity for TBDA in light of changing needs, requirements, and the company's environment. Such extension is needed to make the TBDA more flexible and adaptable to market environment, thus augmenting organizational agility. The research has been carried following the Design Science Research in Information Systems (DSRIS) methodological approach with the addition of creative thinking. As a result, the extended framework is elaborated, and further improvements and research directions are identified.

Self-reporting Limitations in Information Systems Design Science Research

Self-reporting Limitations in Information Systems Design Science Research

Conceptual Framework for Implementing Temporal Big Data Analytics in Companies

Considering the time dimension in big data analytics allows for a more complete insight into the analyzed phenomena and thus for gaining a competitive advantage on the market. The entrepreneurs also reported the need for temporal big data analytics, when interviewed by the author. Hence, the main goal of this article is to create a conceptual framework for applying temporal big data analytics (TBDA) in businesses. It is determined that a temporal framework is required. Existing big data implementation frameworks are discussed. The requirements for the successful implementation of temporal big data analytics are shown. Finally, the conceptual framework for organizational adoption of temporal big data analytics is offered and verified. The most important findings of this study are: proving that effective implementation of big data analytics in companies requires open consideration of time; demonstrating the usefulness of the leagile approach in the implementation of TBDA in companies; proposing a comprehensive conceptual framework for TBDA implementation; indicating possible success measures of the TBDA implementation in the company. The study has been conducted according to the Design Science Research in Information Systems (DSRIS) methodology. IT, business leaders, and policymakers can use the findings of this article to plan and develop temporal big data analytics in their enterprises. The report provides useful information on how to implement temporal big data in companies.

Framework for Assessing Virtualization Maturity of Universities

Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is to discuss universities’ virtualization activities and to propose a framework for assessing the maturity of these actions at any university. Design/methodology/approach: The maturity model has been developed according to the Design Science Research in Information Systems (DSRIS) methodology as outlined by Vaishnavi, Kuechler and Petter (2019). Findings: The main finding in the paper is a new framework called Virtual Index of Maturity (VIM) that can help to measure the current state of universities’ virtualization activities and to plan their future development. The proposed framework includes all areas of their activity: teaching, research and administration and allows for assessing the virtualization maturity of each of them, considering their specificity. Consequently, the overall information on universities’ maturity in the context of virtualization activities is obtained. Such information can be used by university authorities to plan subsequent steps of development. Research limitations/implications: Once published and applied, the proposed framework of the Virtual Maturity Index (VIM) should be evaluated as part of further research, with any necessary corrections as deemed necessary. This should lead to the development of best practice for university managers, researchers and other stakeholders involved in virtualization issues. Originality/value: Our paper provides important contributions to both theory and practice in the area of universities’ virtualization operations. The Virtual Maturity Index (VIM) is a proprietary, original solution.

Building an Integrated Digital Transformation System Framework: A Design Science Research, the Case of FedUni

The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated digital transformation system framework (IDTSF) to help support business leaders and teams in making their products, services, and operations more streamlined and competitive. The framework will help organizations to best meet user/customer needs with minimum waste and time and enables businesses to achieve efficiency compared with island and traditional sequential approaches. The proposed framework can also provide insights to help organizations to avoid common failures when deploying digital transformation initiatives. The paper follows the design science research (DSR) and the information systems design science research (ISDSR) methodologies to develop the IDTSF model and a practical design artifact. The main problems were the initiation, execution, and governance challenges associated with digital transformation. After identifying the problems and the objectives, a relevant IDTSF model was synthesized and tested as a design artifact. The results of the test of the proposed artifact showed its effectiveness and efficiency in facilitating the components of the model in creating a cohesive framework.

A Multi-Sided Platform to Activate the Sharing of Digital Labs

This paper presents a business model for digital laboratories (labs) to promote sharing in network organizations. Using information systems design science research methodology, a multi-sided platform is created and evaluated as a sustainable business model. Digital labs complement theoretical concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to promote understanding of concepts, practical knowledge, and experiences. However, these labs are expensive and typically only available to local user groups, and not every university can offer the same or equivalent labs. Many universities are not well prepared to share labs with other institutions or to be part of a network organization. Among the findings are that digital labs are becoming more important, that there is an emerging trend from product- to service-oriented solutions, that a lab-sharing marketplace should provide targeted offerings for teaching and training, and that industry customers and students are showing interest in digital labs education content. The willingness to pay for students and industry is there, but for students the discussion remains ethical in nature as to who should pay for education. On the other hand, industry customers point out that there is a fear of losing intellectual property and security risks. This paper shows how a sustainable business model for digital labs activates lab sharing. Then universities can offer a better curriculum, instructors have more opportunities to provide a good education, and only then can students have access to more lab environments.

Socially responsible design science in information systems for sustainable development: a critical research methodology

ABSTRACT This study presents an Information Systems (IS) research methodology for the conduct of critical research into sustainable development that encompasses the objectives of socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable economic growth. The specific context is the application of critical research in the problem definition phase of IS Design Science Research for sustainable development. The paper guides IS research through problem scenarios of unsustainable development where power can distort truth and corrupt the public discourse in the furtherance of their ambitions. The methodology provides a structured approach to engage in inquiry of topics which are by their nature, deceptive and opaque. The methodology enables research inquiry encompassing societal topics, macro-social issues related to sustainable development and the application of nomothetic inquiry to address systemic problems. The paper concludes with illustrative examples of outcomes from the application of the prescribed methodology. The study provides an IS response to systemic social and environmental challenges by identifying the routes to transformation which in turn inform the design of IS solutions. Consequently, the study lays a foundation for IS engagement in socially responsible design science research.

Design Science and Co-Designing of Hybrid Workplaces

Background: Future places for learning and working are digitally and physically integrated hybrid environments. The archetypical context of learning is the classroom, and context of working is the office; especially in knowledge work. New information and communication technologies enable the spatial reconfiguration of work opening possibilities for work to take place across multiple locations. This paper aims to explore how the conceptual framework of design-science research in Information Systems can be applied when the design object is a hybrid working environment. Methods: The case study method as a qualitative approach was chosen; because it involves an empirical investigation of a particular contemporary phenomenon within its real life context using multiple sources of evidence. The empirical analysis of two hybrid working environments is based on Action Design Research (ADR)-entry points; where one analyzes two case studies stage by stage. By analyzing various stages in both case studies; one can identify co-designing challenges of hybrid working environments. Results: The results present four recommendations for co-designing of hybrid working environments. The use of hybrid working environment; the design of spatial solution; the identification of iterative processes; and the user experiences of presence and distance are significant. The Entry Point Analysis-tool can be used and further developed in analyzing and developing hybrid working environments. Conclusion: The results contribute to the tradition of usability studies. The usability briefing approach can be further developed by identifying the iterative processes inside the linear project management models. Additionally, design science research can find new insights from identification of the large stakeholder iterations more precisely.

Exploring the Scientific Impact of Information Systems Design Science Research

While design science research has established its position as a prominent field of research in the IS community, there is a lack of transparency regarding the impact of recent information systems design science research (IS DSR) papers. This lack of insight arguably poses challenges to an informed discourse and limits our ability to communicate the progress that IS DSR has achieved. Therefore, after mapping impactful IS DSR papers, we develop a scientometric study to address the lack of insights into factors that affect the scientific impact of IS DSR papers in top IS journals. In this study, we focus on active, IS-specific DSR areas and consider papers published in the AIS Senior Scholars’ basket of journals between 2004 and 2014. Specifically, we develop a model that explores factors that affect IS DSR papers’ scientific impact. Our findings show that theorization and novelty significantly explain scientific impact. We discuss our work’s implications and derive recommendations intended to shape future knowledge creation in IS DSR.

Research Perspectives: Reconsidering the Role of Research Method Guidelines for Interpretive, Mixed Methods, and Design Science Research

Information systems (IS) scholars have proposed guidelines for interpretive, mixed methods, and design science research in IS. Because many of these guidelines have also been suggested for evaluating what good or rigorous research is, they may be used as a checklist in the review process. In this paper, we raise the question: To what extent do research guidelines for interpretive, mixed methods, and design science research offer evidence that they can be used to evaluate the quality of research. We argue that scholars can use these guidelines to evaluate what good research is if there is compelling evidence that they lead to certain good research outcomes. We use three well-known sets of guidelines as examples and argue that they do not seem to offer evidence that we can use them to evaluate the quality of research. Instead, the “evidence” is often an authority argument, popularity, or examples demonstrating the applicability of the guidelines. If many research method principles we regard as authoritative in IS are largely based on speculation and opinion, we should take these guidelines less seriously in evaluating the quality of research. Our proposal does not render the guidelines useless. If the guidelines cannot offer cause-and-effect evidence for the usefulness of their principles, we propose viewing the guidelines as idealizations for pedagogical purposes, which means that reviewers cannot use these guidelines as checklists to evaluate what good research is. While our examples are from interpretive, mixed methods, and design science research, we urge the IS community to ponder the extent to which other research method guidelines offer evidence that they can be used to evaluate the quality of research.

Editorial: A Critical Look at Theories in Design Science Research

This editorial critically reviews design theories, kernel theories, and substantive technologi­cal theories in design science research (DSR) within information systems (IS). The review identifies four different but interrelated interpretations of “design theory” for the design product. In the case of kernel theories, it pays attention to the softening of their scientific status that undermines the status of design theories as well. Substantive technological theories refer to intermediating theories between abstract descrip­tive/explanatory kernel theories and design. The editorial suggests that DSR in IS (DSRIS) has great potential to contribute design-oriented, explanatory/predictive, substantive technological theories. Overall, the review illus­trates excessive use of the word “theory” in DSR. This is in line with the alleged “theory fetish” of information systems.

Applying Action Design Research (ADR) to Develop Collaboration Virtual Programming Laboratory as Supporting System For Student Centered Learning

The development of technology is currently growing very rapidly. The change of information and communication technology (ICT) to ubiquitous technology is inevitable. This affects the development of the world of education, where the current learning method that is being promoted by the government is a student-based learning system or known as the Student Centered Learning (SCL). ADR is one of Information systems design science research frameworks. To produce a perspective design of knowledge through four main stages: Problem Formulation, Building Intervention and Evaluation (BIE), Reflection and Learning, Formalization of Learning, ADR is a combination of Action Research (AD) with Design Science Research (DSR). In learning of programming required laboratory infrastructure that can support in terms of programming practice. Growth of learning students is not aligned with the extension of supporting infrastructure, in this case the laboratory, especially the programming laboratory. In a case study at Widyatama University, along with the change of teaching and learning system, the learning media also changed. The current learning media that is e-learning, can only support theoretical learning but not support for learning in practice. This project is done by two domains: Teaching Learning Office (TLO) as the department that responsible for current e-learning, and An informatics study center developing a virtual laboratory. At the evaluation stage, testing is qualitative for users, as well as testing in Alpha and Betha. Alpha testing is done intranet on VPL-SCM, whereas on Betha testing done internet on VPL_SCM. Conclusion is an important aspect when designing IT artifacts is the dynamics between plan design and use context, The ADR interaction focuses on researchers, practitioners and end users during the design process and is strongly collaborative-oriented, The evaluation stage in ADR is a continuous stage, so the development of IT artefac can be continuously adjusted through repeatable processes, so virtual programming laboratory can be implemented properly as a supporter of existing e-learning system.

Design Science Research Roadmap Model for Information Systems Projects

This article contends that design science research (DSR) has emerged as an important approach in information systems (IS) research. The design science research roadmap (DSRR) model describes the process of using the DSR in IS in great detail. Unfortunately, the existing literature does not address the task of demonstrating the use of the DSRR in detail by conducting a real case study. This article aims to examine the implementation of the DSRR with real IS research activities. The construction of a systematic innovation framework to solve problems for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is used as a case study for demonstration purposes. This article shows that the DSRR provides very useful guidance, since it covers almost all the necessary steps to conduct DSR in the information systems field. The illustrations provided with each step of the DSRR in this article will help other researchers, especially novice researchers, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the use of the DSRR model.

Considering the social impacts of artefacts in information systems design science research

Design science research (DSR) is a distinct research paradigm in the information systems (IS) field that encourages the creation and evaluation of artefacts as a means for research. Yet, design science researchers often create and evaluate artefacts that tend to be techno-centric. By also considering the social impacts of a design science artefact throughout the creation and evaluation process, the researcher develops an artefact with a greater potential to thrive when the artefact is instantiated and implemented. Furthermore, the purposeful consideration of social impacts in the design science creation and evaluation process supports the researcher in developing a more complete contribution to the IS field, a field whose core foundation relates to information, technology, and social interactions. In this paper, we discuss the importance of identifying social impacts of artefacts as well as an expanded notion of artefacts in DSR. We provide guidelines for design science researchers on how to incorporate the social impacts of artefacts throughout the DSR process. Using vignettes, we demonstrate how researchers have incorporated social impacts and demonstrate the value of considering social impacts as design science researchers seek to create and evaluate artefacts to address a research problem.

BigPromises: using organisational mindfulness to integrate big data in emergency management decision making

Many governmental agencies are currently engaged in activities to improve access to information which are encouraging recent Big Data (BD) trends. However, determining and demonstrating the benefit to emergency management information systems (EMIS) users has yet been realised. EMIS are critical to navigating a complex network of disparate IS used for real time, coordinated decision-making among agencies. Two significant challenges to incorporating BD analytical, visual, and predictive capabilities are mutual acceptance and system integration. This paper looks at the underlying principles of organisational mindfulness (OM) demonstrated in the convergence of EM processes, systems, and organisations in decision-making. The investigation proposes a design science research in information systems (DSRIS) approach to build an IS artefact for EMIS evaluation. Critical immediacy of information and decisions require adherence to processes which build capabilities to support EMIS users. This adds a layer of complexity to ISDT for EMIS, yet may equally lead to broader BD acceptance and integration.

A Taxonomy of Evaluation Methods for Information Systems Artifacts

Artifacts, such as software systems, pervade organizations and society. In the field of information systems (IS) they form the core of research. The evaluation of IS artifacts thus represents a major issue. Although IS research paradigms are increasingly intertwined, building and evaluating artifacts has traditionally been the purview of design science research (DSR). DSR in IS has not reached maturity yet. This is particularly true of artifact evaluation. This paper investigates the “what” and the “how” of IS artifact evaluation: what are the objects and criteria of evaluation, the methods for evaluating the criteria, and the relationships between the “what” and the “how” of evaluation? To answer these questions, we develop a taxonomy of evaluation methods for IS artifacts. With this taxonomy, we analyze IS artifact evaluation practice, as reflected by ten years of DSR publications in the basket of journals of the Association for Information Systems (AIS). This research brings to light important relationships between the dimensions of IS artifact evaluation, and identifies seven typical evaluation patterns: demonstration; simulation- and metric-based benchmarking of artifacts; practice-based evaluation of effectiveness; simulation- and metric-based absolute evaluation of artifacts; practice-based evaluation of usefulness or ease of use; laboratory, student-based evaluation of usefulness; and algorithmic complexity analysis. This study also reveals a focus of artifact evaluation practice on a few criteria. Beyond immediate usefulness, IS researchers are urged to investigate ways of evaluating the long-term organizational impact and the societal impact of artifacts.

Designing to Inform: Toward Conceptualizing Practitioner Audiences for Socio-technical Artifacts in Design Science Research in the Information Systems Discipline

This paper identifies areas in the design science research (DSR) subfield of the information systems (IS) discipline where a more detailed consideration of practitioner audiences of socio-technical design artifacts could improve current IS DSR research practice and proposes an initial conceptualization of these audiences. The consequences of not considering artifact audiences are identified through a critical appraisal of the current informing science lenses in the IS DSR literature. There are specific shortcomings in four areas: 1) treating practice stakeholders as a too homogeneous group, 2) not explicitly distinguishing between social and technical parts of socio-technical artifacts, 3) neglecting implications of the artifact abstraction level, and 4) a lack of explicit consideration of a dynamic or evolutionary fitness perspective of socio-technical artifacts. The findings not only pave the way for future research to further improve the conceptualization of artifact audiences, in order to improve the informing power – and thus, impact on practice and research relevance – of IS DSR projects; they can also help to bridge the theory-practice gap in other disciplines (e.g. computer science, engineering, or policy-oriented sociology) that seek to produce social and/or technical artifacts of practical relevance.