Information Systems Research Research Articles

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: Conceptualizing and exploring deviations from polls during public health app releases

Policymakers often rely on pre-release polls to design and deploy public health apps. However, these apps often fail to realize their full potential because the actual size of the user population is significantly lower than expected, and the characteristics of those who use the app differ from those previously inclined to install it. This study aims to understand the success of public health apps by examining shifts between expected and actual user populations during app releases. Rooted in the context of public health apps, we identify factors that potentially intervene in the time between an initial poll of intentions and actual behavior. We delineate two deviations between stated installation intentions in polls and actual installations at an individual level, which have been commingled in literature thus far: inclined nonusers (Type I deviation) and disinclined users (Type II deviation). By introducing this distinction, we hypothesize that app releases can suffer from (1) a volume shift, which results in overly optimistic expectations of user numbers, and (2) a profile shift, which results in biased expectations of user profiles. Using data from a multi-wave survey, we find evidence for the postulated deviations. Our findings also unveil how contextualized factors from the health belief model can explain the occurrence and extent of these deviations. The findings contribute to information systems research that aims to predict technology adoption based on behavioral intentions. The results also offer actionable guidance for policymakers who rely on stated intentions in polls to tackle public health issues.

A Mother-Child data linkage approach using data from the information System for the development of research in primary care (SIDIAP) in Catalonia

BackgroundLarge-scale clinical databases containing routinely collected electronic health records (EHRs) data are a valuable source of information for research studies. For example, they can be used in pharmacoepidemiology studies to evaluate the effects of maternal medication exposure on neonatal and pediatric outcomes. Yet, this type of studies is infeasible without proper mother–child linkage. MethodsWe leveraged all eligible active records (N = 8,553,321) of the Information System for Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP) database. Mothers and infants were linked using a deterministic approach and linkage accuracy was evaluated in terms of the number of records from candidate mothers that failed to link. We validated the mother–child links identified by comparison of linked and unlinked records for both candidate mothers and descendants. Differences across these two groups were evaluated by means of effect size calculations instead of p-values. Overall, we described our data linkage process following the GUidance for Information about Linking Data sets (GUILD) principles. ResultsWe were able to identify 744,763 unique mother–child relationships, linking 83.8 % candidate mothers with delivery dates within a period of 15 years. Of note, we provide a record-level category label used to derive a global confidence metric for the presented linkage process. Our validation analysis showed that the two groups were similar in terms of a number of aggregated attributes. ConclusionsComplementing the SIDIAP database with mother–child links will allow clinical researchers to expand their epidemiologic studies with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for pregnant women and their children. Importantly, the reported information at each step of the data linkage process will contribute to the validity of analyses and interpretation of results in future studies using this resource.

Decolonizing IS through tecnologia social: Fostering epistemic plurality in the design of solidarity cryptocurrency in Latin America

AbstractWesternised paradigms dominate the information systems (IS) field, often overshadowing alternative epistemologies. This study challenges the prevailing hegemonic view and contributes to the decolonization of IS research and practice by proposing a Latin American and decolonial approach to technological development that emphasises community centrality and epistemic justice through recognition of local knowledges and Indigenous traditions. Using design ethnography, we follow the development of a solidarity cryptocurrency in a Brazilian favela. Our paper offers two key contributions. By introducing tecnologia social, an underrepresented perspective in IS, we highlight ecology of knowledges, centrality of the local and decolonial reconfiguration as principles that can enrich the understanding of IS projects from a decolonial perspective. In addition, we propose a new concept—epistemic dialogical tension—as a process wherein different epistemologies coexist and accommodate each other, encouraging a dynamic interplay of distinct human experiences and worldviews. It offers new paths to IS scholars and practitioners in navigating the complexities of epistemic plurality. We argue that tecnologia social and epistemic dialogical tension provide fertile ground for developing reimagined, decolonized approaches where multiple epistemologies can coexist, favouring the often‐silenced communities they are intended to benefit.

Social media‐enabled crisis response in Vietnam: A tương thân tương ái perspective

AbstractA growing amount of information systems (IS) research is examining the use of social media to enable effective crisis response. However, existing studies have overlooked the impact of indigenous concepts, which play an important role in crisis response. Our study intends to offer an indigenous perspective to this research stream by examining how social media‐enabled crisis response is enacted in Vietnam. We used COVID‐19 as the focal crisis and collected a rich set of discussion threads from social media. By analysing the data through the grounded theory method, our study identifies the indigenous theoretical concept of tương thân tương ái. We further unveil a process model consisting of six mechanisms through which tương thân tương ái inspires crisis response on social media and three roles assumed by social media during this process. Our study contributes to the literature on social media‐enabled crisis response by providing an indigenous perspective and a context‐specific explanation. It also enriches IS theory in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by investigating how the indigenous concept of tương thân tương ái influences Vietnam's crisis response on social media. Our findings also provide guidelines that can help communities beyond Vietnam to promote the values of tương thân tương ái during crisis response.

Data-Driven Insights for a Holistic Understanding of Research Culture

Research environments (and their measurement and tracking) are becoming increasingly complex, with rapid Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global connectivity shaping the way research knowledge is created and disseminated. Within this dynamic landscape, universities hold an ever increasing collection of valuable data, which are stored within core operational systems including research information systems, research management systems or grants databases, human resource systems and course management systems. This treasure trove of information, often overlooked and underutilised, not only serves as a valuable tool in guiding strategic decisions, but also could be further used to provide a comprehensive approach to monitoring research integrity and culture. This critical reflection follows extensive conversations and debates around defining and assessing ‘research culture’. How can we possibly measure something that has, up until now, been viewed as merely a concept? How can we generate useful metrics that reflect the culture of a research institution? Our reflections will draw attention to the potential of leveraging readily accessible information to gauge and benchmark research integrity and culture practices. We discuss how regular habitual integration of these data sources enables continuous monitoring and measurement of research culture as well as the ability to assist in the assessment of interventions or initiatives designed to improve it. We reflect on how this approach ensures that University leaders have a consistent and up-to-date understanding of the research environment through which they can identify strengths, pinpoint areas for improvement, and cultivate a more robust, inclusive, and transparent research ecosystem. The current paper, through illustrative examples from one UK-based institution, explores the potential in harnessing existing data, such as collaborative trends and prevailing research practices, to gain valuable insights into the dynamics of academic research. In addition, we explore the advantages and drawbacks of using this data to develop potential metrics that can be used to recognise and reward a healthy research culture.

Increasing the collaboration of data science stakeholders with a knowledge management system

PurposeThis paper presents the design and implementation of collaborative data science framework (CoDS), a knowledge management system for consolidating data science activities in an enterprise.Design/methodology/approachThe development of the CoDS framework is grounded on the design science research methodology for information systems research. In our case study, we first designed the initial framework for CoDS based on a systematic literature review. Then, we collected the expert opinions of eight data scientists to validate the need for generic content for such a knowledge management system. In the second iteration, a portfolio prototype is developed by the same data scientists as a part of our technical action research. Finally, a survey is conducted with 57 data analyst candidates in the last iteration.FindingsUsing the CoDS portfolio strengthened the communication among data scientists and stakeholders to improve development and scaling activities. It eased the reuse or modification of existing analytical solutions in other company processes.Practical implicationsThe CoDS presents a platform on which business details, data-related knowledge, modeling procedures and deployment steps are shared for (1) mediating and scaling ongoing projects, (2) enriching knowledge transfer among stakeholders, (3) facilitating ideation of new products and (4) supporting the onboarding of new employees and developers.Originality/valueThis study proposes a novel structure and a roadmap for creating a data science knowledge management system for the collaboration of all stakeholders in an enterprise.

Navigating the moral maze: a literature review of ethical values in business process management

PurposeBusiness process management (BPM), as a pillar of information systems (IS) research, has become more complex with the advent of new technologies, emphasizing the need for moral and ethical perspectives. To foster moral behavior and responsible action, including ethical values in IT systems and processes can be a solid option. By incorporating a socio-technical perspective, we are able to analyze the various aspects of BPM and organizational processes and the incorporated values. We find an overall acknowledgment of the importance of values and ethics in BPM.Design/methodology/approachThis publication explores ethical values within BPM through a systematic literature review (SLR). The study aims to identify the ethical dimensions inherent in BPM and their practical implications in process management and task execution. The methodological approach adopted is a SLR (Boell and Cecez-Kecmanovic, 2015), adapting the PRISMA guidelines (Page et al., 2021) to identify 82 articles from 21 top IS journals suggested by Lowry et al. (2013).FindingsA descriptive framework is developed to explain the use and application of ethical values within business processes. This framework enables practitioners and researchers to categorize and understand the various ethical considerations involved in BPM. It provides a structured approach highlighting the interrelation between process perspectives and ethical values, demonstrating how different BPM approaches may have varying ethical implications. We compare past and future research in business processes, identifying areas for further investigation and theoretical development. A historical analysis of values and literature also helps contextualize contemporary discussions on ethics in BPM, shedding light on the evolution of ethical considerations within this domain.Originality/valueOur study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of BPM, highlighting the importance of considering ethical values and socio-technical perspectives in designing and implementing business processes. These findings contribute to understanding the values associated with different types of processes and their employment and highlight potential areas for future research. Our study provides ethics-oriented research in IS with novel insights by examining BPM from an ethical value perspective. We contribute to the BPM literature by examining which values are applied in which process types from which perspective. In addition, our research suggestions provide food for thought for both research streams.

Enhancing Personalized Learning Through Process Mining

AbstractTechnology-mediated learning offers new possibilities for individualizing learning processes in order to discover, monitor, and enhance students’ learning activities. However, leveraging such possibilities automatically and at scale with novel technologies raises questions about the design and the analysis of digital learning processes. Process mining hereby becomes a relevant tool to leverage these theorized opportunities. The paper classifies recent literature on individualizing technology-mediated learning and educational process mining into four major concepts (purpose, user, data, and analysis). By clustering and empirically evaluating the use of learner data in expert interviews, the study presents three design patterns for discovering, monitoring, and enhancing students’ learning activities by means of process mining. The paper explains the characteristics of these patterns, analyzes opportunities for digital learning processes, and illustrates the potential value the patterns can create for relevant educational stakeholders. Information systems researchers can use the taxonomy to develop theoretical models to study the effectiveness of process mining and thus enhance the individualization of learning processes. The patterns, in combination with the taxonomy for designing and analyzing digital learning processes, serve as a personal guide to studying, designing, and evaluating the individualization of digital learning at scale.

The Philosopher's Corner: Questioning the Third Way Rhetoric of Critical Realism

Roy Bhaskar's critical realism (CR) has become a popular metatheoretical foundation in information systems (IS) research. CR is often framed as a "third way" or a "middle ground" between positivism and interpretivism. In this essay, I deconstruct this third way rhetoric of the CR discourse into four argumentative steps: 1) IS research must be based on a metatheoretical foundation; 2) positivism and interpretivism are the only two choices for such foundation, but both are unsatisfactory; 3) critical realism solves this tension as a middle ground between the two alternatives; and 4) critical realism is superior to its alternatives and thus the only sensible choice. I problematize each of these steps. The contribution of this essay is to illuminate the seductiveness of the "third way" framing: it hides more than it reveals.

Towards decolonial IS: Insights from applying pluriverse and conviviality to analyse a co‐production intervention in Peru

AbstractWhile there is a growing interest in applying decolonial approaches within the field of information systems (IS), effective avenues for engagement remain largely unexplored. To this end, our paper introduces a framework focused on decolonial IS research informed by the notions of the pluriverse and conviviality. These concepts emphasise a focus on ontological, epistemological and methodological dimensions, with a strong orientation to justice. We illustrate the application of the framework through a re‐analysis of our own research project, the co‐production of the Metropolitan Water Observatory (MWO) in Lima, Peru. Applying the framework to learn new insights about the MWO, this paper contributes to the IS field by providing a framework from which to examine IS interventions from a decolonial perspective. In addition to advancing theoretical understanding, our framework serves as a valuable resource for scholars navigating the complex landscape of decolonial approaches in IS.

Deciphering the evolution of metaverse - A techno-functional perspective in digital marketing

The metaverse has disrupted the traditional marketing practices and it has potential to transform entire world of marketing activities with thrilling immersive experiences. This study provides an analysis of evolving field of metaverse marketing in the context of information systems using state of the art bibliometric and scientometric tools coupled with machine learning algorithms. Utilizing 257 documents from Scopus database that published between 1996 and 2024, this research maps and unveils the development of metaverse marketing from its inception and the role of information systems in its evolution. The analysis of literature resulted in five main emerging themes of the role of information systems in metaverse marketing research as User Experience, Customer engagement, Convergence of metaverse Technology, Design of virtual goods & experience and Global Social Interaction. The major sub-themes of the study are User Behaviors and Preferences, Branding on virtual environment, Virtual reality, Virtual wearables and Virtual Socialization. This study also reveals the emerging trends and gaps in literature that pave the ways for future research expansion in the information systems and metaverse marketing. Few of the important future research areas identified are understanding user experience, design of immersive customer engagement strategies, customer virtual presence and Security & privacy concerns of the users on metaverse platform.

Reassessing taxonomy-based data clustering: Unveiling insights and guidelines for application

Clustering for taxonomy-based archetype identification has become an established method in Information Systems (IS) research, aiding strategic decision-making across diverse research and business domains. However, the effectiveness of the approach depends critically on the compatibility of clustering methods and algorithms with the specific data characteristics. This study, based on a comprehensive review of 87 articles employing taxonomy-based clustering in IS research, reveals a notable mismatch between the chosen clustering algorithms and the nature of the data, particularly in the context of archetype development from taxonomy-based data. To address these methodological inconsistencies, we introduce a set of clustering guidelines tailored to the unique requirements of archetype development from taxonomy-based data. These guidelines are informed by a computational study involving seven identified datasets from the taxonomy-building literature, ensuring their practical applicability and scientific relevance. Our guidelines are designed to enhance the robustness and scientific validity of insights and decisions derived from taxonomy-based clustering. By improving the methodological rigor of clustering methods, our research addresses a critical mismatch in current practices and contributes to enhancing the quality of decision-making informed by taxonomy-based analysis in IS research.

Bibliometric Mapping: Research Development on the Topic of Quality Management on Google Scholar Using Vosviewer

This research aims to map the development of quality management research indexed in Google Scholar and analyze topics related to this topic. By adopting a qualitative descriptive method, it was carried on through three stages: (1) indexed journal with the help of Google Scholar PoP (Publish or Perish) software; (2) journals were saved as an RIS (Research Information System) file; and (3) bibliometric analysis was performed using VOS viewer. This search focused on articles discussing quality management topics in the period 2010–2023, with a limit on the number of documents of 900. The research results showed that the amount of research on quality management had fluctuated. The most publications occurred in the specified year range, namely 83 articles. The topics most discussed were quality management systems, performance, top management, education, total quality management, relations, and improvement, while those that were still very few were distance education, skills, conflict management, competence, social development, information management, and career adaptability. Therefore, these topics were likely to be of concern to the latest research on quality management in the future because there was still very little research on them.

Explainable Generative AI (GenXAI): a survey, conceptualization, and research agenda

Generative AI (GenAI) represents a shift from AI’s ability to “recognize” to its ability to “generate” solutions for a wide range of tasks. As generated solutions and applications grow more complex and multi-faceted, new needs, objectives, and possibilities for explainability (XAI) have emerged. This work elaborates on why XAI has gained importance with the rise of GenAI and the challenges it poses for explainability research. We also highlight new and emerging criteria that explanations should meet, such as verifiability, interactivity, security, and cost considerations. To achieve this, we focus on surveying existing literature. Additionally, we provide a taxonomy of relevant dimensions to better characterize existing XAI mechanisms and methods for GenAI. We explore various approaches to ensure XAI, ranging from training data to prompting. Our paper provides a concise technical background of GenAI for non-technical readers, focusing on text and images to help them understand new or adapted XAI techniques for GenAI. However, due to the extensive body of work on GenAI, we chose not to delve into detailed aspects of XAI related to the evaluation and usage of explanations. Consequently, the manuscript appeals to both technical experts and professionals from other fields, such as social scientists and information systems researchers. Our research roadmap outlines over ten directions for future investigation.

Purchase intention toward E-pharmacy: the consumption value perspective

Purpose This study aims to examine consumer purchase behavior towards E-pharmacy from a consumption value perspective. For this purpose, the influence of consumption values on consumer purchase intention is evaluated. Further, the role of consumer involvement in online purchase setup in the context of E-pharmacy is observed using moderation analysis. Design/methodology/approach The study used a cross-sectional survey design, wherein the respondents in the Delhi-National Capital Region of India were approached using a purposive sampling method. Responses received through the structured questionnaire were subjected to analysis using Smart PLS Version 4.0.9.6. Findings Results indicate a significant influence of functional (partial), emotional, social and conditional values on consumers’ purchase intention. Moreover, the moderation effect of consumer online involvement is seen in functional value (partial) and emotional value–purchase intention relationships. Research limitations/implications This study reinforces the use of the consumption value perspective to explain consumer purchase behavior toward information system (IS)-based platforms such as E-pharmacy. Some of the results, in this context, that did not establish significant relationships between a given form of consumption values and purchase intention, open up the possibilities of retesting the said relationships in the future. The researchers would realize the benefit of such examinations, as the E-pharmacy sector further evolves and matures in the future. Further, the successful establishment of a significant moderating role of consumer online involvement in certain consumption value-purchase intention relationships such as safety, perceived convenience and comfort value paves the way for future researchers to explore consumer online involvement for a similar role in IS research. Practical implications This study provides cues for E-pharmacy marketers to focus on enhancing product safety, usage comfort, users’ social image and awareness toward health consciousness that will help build purchase intention and assist in overcoming the challenges in the long run. It further suggests that marketers should have a strong re-look at forming price value perceptions and they must enhance the interactive features of the company’s mobile apps/websites with the help of the emerging artificial intelligence tools to re-orient the epistemic value and perceived convenience value toward E-pharmacy services. Furthermore, this study recommends following digital marketing practices to increase consumer online involvement, which would help strengthen perceived convenience formation that would otherwise be difficult to attain for E-pharmacy consumers. Originality/value This study provides novel insight into consumer purchase intention evaluation through the consumption value perspective in an emerging E-pharmacy market. The consumption value frame of reference helps to understand consumers’ buying rationale that affects their buying behavior beyond the initial adoption. Further, the moderation analysis of consumer online involvement provides an additional dimension to understanding consumer buying behavior concerning E-pharmacy.

A review of resistance–capacitance thermal network model in urban building energy simulations

With the increasing population and urbanization promotion, energy consumption and carbon emissions have increased, and concern for inefficient energy use and deteriorating urban environments is growing. The prediction of building energy consumption and environmental evaluation, especially at large scales, are considered to be a major challenge confronting the research community. An outstanding strategy for mitigating energy consumption and carbon emissions resides in the field of energy modeling. As a simplified building energy modeling model, resistance–capacitance (RC) network model has the applications in fast predicting building energy consumption. Notably, in recent years, there has been an evident absence of thorough review endeavors related to RC model for urban building energy loads and climate. This review systematically explores the application of low-order models and reduction methods for urban or regional energy simulation starting from the typical RC model for building. In summation, the challenges associated with employing this model for urban building energy loads and climate can be succinctly summarized as follows: the absence of a unified platform for RC modeling; insufficient readily applicable urban datasets; the need for modeling tools that facilitate cross-platform analyses in conjunction with existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and urban thermal environment simulation research platforms, and the essential requirement for seamless integration with other complementary modules.

Token‐based reviewer economies: Proposed institutions for managing the reviewer shortage problem

AbstractThis opinion paper presents two proposed token‐based systems to fix the information system academy's review system. At present, the review system consumes more human resources than the information systems academy has by an order of magnitude. The cost of this overflow is borne entirely by information systems researchers. I argue this is because the review system is based on a gift economy that cannot handle the currently sized market. Both proposals involve the creation of tokens and a central governing body. The first proposal involves a market built around a review bank (central governing body) that issues review tokens that function as a proxy currency. Journals function as intermediaries between authors and reviewers. Authors pay journals for reviews, and journals pay experts such as reviewers and editors for their services. Reviewers exchange their review tokens on the open market or trade review tokens for favours with institutions like universities. The second proposal involves a gift economy where reviewers transfer their allegiance from peers to the information systems academy. In this proposal, each individual token is unique, like a trading card and an affiliation board tracks the transfer of tokens, linking former possessors of a token together in a review ring. As tokens are regifted, they accumulate history, and thereby social worth, captured in the form of messages each possessor writes. Former possession of a large number of tokens and of tokens with particular histories confers status benefits. These benefits in turn lock reviewers into the review ring system encouraging them to do further reviews. Economic, social, and other implications of both policies are discussed and questions are posed for the information systems academy to grapple with. Example issues discussed include the effect of the proposals on the political power of reviewers and shifts in political power in the information systems academy.

A critical realist approach to agent-based modeling: Unlocking prediction in non-positivist paradigms

Information systems (IS) scholarship and practice aim to predict phenomena and outcomes of IS use. These phenomena of IS use are typically set in multi-leveled, dynamic, and complex contexts that lend explanation to the non-positivist tradition in IS research. However, limited methodological options exist to make predictions. In this research, we propose stratified agent-based modeling, a step-by-step approach that enables prediction in non-positivist paradigms. Drawing upon the critical realist philosophy of science, which suggests ontological stratification and assumes open systems, we adopt a retroduction-based explanation formation and agent-based modeling to simulate different potential states of a complex system. The critical step in combining critical realism with agent-based modeling involves identifying and codifying the underlying generative mechanisms (i.e., causal powers) into various components of the agent-based model. We propose four steps toward prediction under the critical realist paradigm: (1) capturing the phenomenon, (2) identifying the generative mechanism, (3) building the agent-based model, and (4) simulating states of the system. We present an exemplar of our proposed approach that investigates the effectiveness of strategies to combat malicious content propagation in social networks.

Global perspectives on organizational information systems issues: An enigma in search of a theoretical framework

Information Systems (IS) research paradigms, models and findings are largely developed in the context of the United States and Western Europe and thus are largely applicable to the Western world and have limited relevance elsewhere. One area of IS research interest to both practitioners and academics is the elicitation of organizational/management issues related to the use of information technology (IT). The US-based Society for Information Management conducts an annual survey on these issues, but its findings are limited to the US. Given the current ethnocentric approach, the World IT Project, among other topics, examined the organizational IS issues in 37 countries and found that, as expected, the organizational IS issues varied widely from one organization to another and from one country to another. To better understand the nature of these issues and their driving factors, we have developed a multitiered theoretical framework to unravel these factors. This framework comprises three layers: an outer layer with three national-level factors, a middle layer with two macro-IT factors, and an inner layer with three organizational-level factors. Furthermore, 17 propositions are supported by the World IT Project data and secondary data. Such a framework has been long overdue and offers both practitioners and researchers value in understanding the global IS landscape.

What Influences Users’ Continuous Intention to Use Function-Oriented Systems: A Different Impact Mechanism for Patent Information Platforms

Patent information platforms have become crucial for innovators to stay informed about technological advancements. These platforms, distinguished by their function-oriented nature, differ significantly from traditional systems, highlighting the need for research on user behavior impact. This study proposes a research model to investigate how information, system, and interface quality influence continuous use intention, with perceived pleasure and needs satisfaction as mediators. A survey with 468 users was conducted, followed by regression and structural equation modeling for path and mediation analyses. The findings indicate that information and system quality have positive but distinct impacts on perceived pleasure and needs satisfaction, while interface quality affects only perceived pleasure. Needs satisfaction mediates the impact of information and system quality on continuous use intention, whereas perceived pleasure does not. This study introduces a function-oriented scenario into information systems research and identifies the unique impact paths of information and system quality. For these function-oriented platforms, the influence of interface quality on needs satisfaction or perceived pleasure on continuous use intention is insignificant, establishing a new context relevant to pragmatism and push–pull–mooring theories. Practical insights are provided for managers to improve system efficiency and enhance user loyalty.