Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Introduction to the special issue on design science

  • Editorial
  • Published:
Information Systems and e-Business Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The rigorous application of design science in information and communications technology (ICT) research is growing rapidly and producing exciting results. The five papers published in this special issue reflect some of the most recent ideas and research projects in ICT design science research (DSR). This introduction begins with concise summaries of the published papers. We then reflect on three key design science issues, using the published papers to illustrate our views. The three issues are: (1) the nature of the artifacts/problems studied in DSR in ICT disciplines; (2) the research approaches that are used; and (3) the nature of the research contributions that are made. We explain why we believe that these issues are interdependent and why thinking about these three issues as a whole can support an improved understanding of the goals and processes of design science research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
€32.70 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (France)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Gregor S, Jones D (2007) The anatomy of a design theory. J Assoc Inf Sys 8(25):312–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Hevner A, Chatterjee S (2010) Design research in information systems: theory and practice, integrated series in information systems, vol 22. Springer, New York

  • Hevner A, March S, Park J, Ram S (2004) Design science in information systems research. Manage Inf Systs Q 28(1):75–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Holten R, Dreiling A, Becker J (2005) Ontology-driven method engineering for information systems development. In: Green P, Rosemann M (eds) Business systems analysis with ontologies. IDEA Group, Hershey, pp 174–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Iivari J (2007) A Paradigmatic analysis of information systems as a design science. Scand J IS 19(2):39–64

    Google Scholar 

  • March S, Smith G (1995) Design and natural science research on information technology. Decis Support Syst 15:251–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markus M, Majchrzak L, Gasser L (2002) A design theory for systems that support emergent knowledge processes. Manage Inf Syst Q 26(3):179–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunamaker J, Chen M, Purdin T (1990–91) Systems development in information systems research. J Inf Manage Syst 7(3):89–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Orlikowski W, Iacono C (2001) Research commentary: desperately seeking the “IT” in IT research—a call to theorizing the IT artifact. Inf Syst Res 12(2):121–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peffers K, Tuunanen T, Rothenberger M, Chatterjee S (2008) A design science research methodology for information systems research. J Manage Inf Syst 24(3):45–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Pries-Heje J, Baskerville R, Venable J (2008) Strategies for design science research evaluation. In: Proceedings of the 16th european conference on information systems (ECIS), Galway, Ireland

  • Purao S (2002) Design research in the technology of information systems: truth or dare, GSU department of CIS working paper. Atlanta: Georgia State University

  • Rosemann M, Vessey I (2008) Toward improving the relevance of information systems research to practice: the role of applicability checks. Manage Inf Syst Q 32(1):1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaishnavi V, Kuechler W (2008) Design science research methods and patterns: innovating information and communication technology. Auerbach Publications, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Aken J (2004) Management research based on the paradigm of the design sciences: the Quest for field-tested and grounded technological rules. J Manage Stud 41(2):219–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Aken J (2005) Management research as a design science: articulating the research products of mode 2 knowledge production in management. Br J Manage 16(1):19–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walls J, Widemeyer G, El Sawy O (1992) Building an information system design theory for vigilant EIS. Inf Syst Res 3(1):36–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The Guest Editors wish to thank the many researchers who willingly provided reviews for this special issue. The issue would not have been possible without the encouragement and efforts of the editorial staff of the Journal of Information Systems and e-Business Management.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Shirley Gregor

  2. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Alan R. Hevner

Authors
  1. Shirley Gregor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alan R. Hevner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alan R. Hevner.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gregor, S., Hevner, A.R. Introduction to the special issue on design science. Inf Syst E-Bus Manage 9, 1–9 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-010-0159-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-010-0159-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation