Design Theory in Practice – Making Design Science Research More Transparent | SpringerLink
Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Design Theory in Practice – Making Design Science Research More Transparent

  • Conference paper
Service-Oriented Perspectives in Design Science Research (DESRIST 2011)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 6629))

Abstract

Design Science Research seeks to develop new generalizable knowledge about design processes, design products, and designed artifacts while solving organizational problems with new work practices based on information technology. However, the ability of Design Science Research to generate knowledge has been challenged by some scholars, due weak connection of the designed artifact to the knowledge base. Design Theories offer a promising approach to codify and generalize some aspects of the knowledge created, in particular that pertaining to design processes and products for a given class of information technology-based solutions. We present a case example to support our argument that Design Theory can be integrated into the context of Design Science Research to make the connection between the design and the knowledge base more transparent, rendering it easier to defend the rigor and generalizablity of the knowledge Design Science Research yields.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
¥17,985 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
JPY 3498
Price includes VAT (Japan)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
JPY 5719
Price includes VAT (Japan)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
JPY 7149
Price includes VAT (Japan)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Benbasat, I., Goldstein, D.K., Mead, M.: The Case Research Strategy in Studies of Information Systems. MIS Quarterly 11(3), 369–386 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Bragge, J., Merisalo-Rantanen, H.: Engineering E-Collaboration Processes to Obtain Innovative End-User Feedback on Advanced Web-Based Information Systems. JAIS 19, 196–220 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Campbell, D.T., Stanley, J.C.: Experimental and Quasi-experimental Designs for Research. Houhgton Mifflin, Boston (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Coyle, G.: Field Anomaly Relaxation (FAR). In: Glenn, J.C., Gordon, T.J. (eds.) The Millennium Project Futures Research Methodology Version 3.0, AC/UNU Millennium Project (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dubin, R.: Theory development. The Free Press, New York (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Eisenhardt, K.M.: Building Theories from Case Study Research. The Academy of Management Review 14(4), 532–550 (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Gregor, S.: The Nature of Theory in Information Systems. MIS Quarterly 30(3), 611–642 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gregor, S., Jones, D.: The Anatomy of Design Theory. JAIS 8(5), 312–335 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hevner, A.R.: A Three Cycle View of Design Science Research. SJIS 19(2), 39–64 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hevner, A.R., Chatterjee, S.: Design Research in Information Systems. Integrated Series in Information Systems, vol. 22. Springer, Heidelberg (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hevner, A.R., Ram, S., March, S.T., Park, J.: Design Science in Information Systems Research. MIS Quarterly 28(1), 75–105 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hooker, J.N.: Is Design Theory Possible? JITTA 6(2), 73–83 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Iivari, J.: A Paradigmatic Analysis of Information Systems as a Design Science. SJIS 19(2), 39–64 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  14. James, W.: Pragmatism, Dover Thrift Editions. Dover Publications, New York (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kitchenham, B., Pickard, L., Pfleeger, S.L.: Case Studies for Method and Tool Evaluation. IEEE Software, 52–62 (July 1995)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kolfschoten, G.L., de Vreede, G.-J.: A Design Approach for Collaboration Processes: A Multimethod Design Science Study in Collaboration Engineering. JMIS 26(1), 225–256 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Lee, A.S.: A Scientific Methodology for MIS Case Studies. MIS Quarterly 13(1), 33–50 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. March, S.T., Smith, G.: Design and Natural Science Research on Information Technology. DSS 15(4), 251–266 (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  19. March, S.T., Storey, V.C.: Design Science in the Information Systems Discipline: An Introduction to the Special Issue on Design Science Research. MIS Quarterly 32(4), 725–730 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  20. McGrath, J.E.: Dilemmatics: The Study of Research Choices and Dilemmas. Am. Behavioral Scientist. 25(2), 179–210 (1981)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Moon, K.L., Ngai, E.W.T.: R&D Framework for and intelligent fabric dample management system: A design science approach. I. J. of Op. & Prod. Management 30, 721–743 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Novak, J., Schwabe, G.: Designing for reintermediation in the brick-and-mortar world: Towards the travel agency of the future. Electron Markets 19(15), 15–29 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Peffers, K., Tuunanen, T., Rothenbergerm, M.A., Chatterjee, S.: A Design Science Research Methodology for Information Systems Research. JMIS 24(3), 45–77 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Piirainen, K.A.: IDEAS for Strategic Technology Management: Design of an electronically mediated scenario method (Diss.), Acta Universitatis Lappeenrantaensis 406. Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta (2010), http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-214-998-5 (accessed 2.3.2011)

  25. Piirainen, K., Lindqvist, A.: Enhancing business and technology foresight with electronically mediated scenario process. Foresight 12(2), 16–37 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Power, D.J.: Decision Support Systems, Concepts and Resources for Managers. Quorum Books, Westport (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Schoemaker, P.J.H.: When and How to Use Scenario Planning: A Heuristic Approach with Illustration. J. of Forecasting. 10(6), 549–564 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Simon, H.A.: The Sciences of the Artificial, 3rd edn. The MIT Press, Cambridge (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Vaishnavi, V., Kuechler, W.: Design Research in Information Systems. IS WorldNet, Atlanta (2004), http://ais.affiniscape.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=279 (accessed 2.3.2011)

  30. Venable, J.R.: The Role of Theory and Theorising in Design Science Research. In: The Proceedings of Design Research in Information Systems and Technology Conference DESRIST 2006, Claremont (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Walls, J.G., Widmeyer, G.R., El Sawy, O.A.: Building an Information Systems Design Theory for Vigilant EIS. ISR 3(1), 36–59 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Walls, J.G., Widmeyer, G.R., El Sawy, O.A.: Assessing Information System Design Theory in Perspective: How Useful Was Our Initial Rendition? JITTA 6(2), 43–58 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Wu, H., Gordon, M.D., Fan, W.: Collective Taxonomizing: A collaborative approach to organizing document repositories. DSS 50(1), 292–303 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Yin, R.K.: Case Study Research: Design and Methods, 2nd edn. Sage Publishing, Thousand Oaks (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Zelkowitz, M.V., Wallace, D.R., Binkley, D.W.: Experimental validation of new software technology. In: Juristo, N., Moreno, A.M. (eds.) Lecture Notes on Empirical Software Engineering, pp. 229–263. World Scientific Publishing, River Edge (2003)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advansis Ltd., Mechelininkatu 1a, FI-00180, Helsinki, Finland

    Kalle A. Piirainen

  2. Lappeenranta University of Technology, Skinnarilankatu 34, FI-53850, Lappeenranta, Finland

    Kalle A. Piirainen

  3. Center for Collaboration Science, University of Nebraska at Omaha, College of Business Administration, 6708 Pine Street, Omaha, NE, 68182-0048, United States of America

    Robert O. Briggs

Authors
  1. Kalle A. Piirainen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert O. Briggs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3202 N. Maryland Avenue, 53201-0742, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Hemant Jain  & Atish P. Sinha  & 

  2. Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University, 721 University Avenue, 13244-2450, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Padmal Vitharana

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Piirainen, K.A., Briggs, R.O. (2011). Design Theory in Practice – Making Design Science Research More Transparent. In: Jain, H., Sinha, A.P., Vitharana, P. (eds) Service-Oriented Perspectives in Design Science Research. DESRIST 2011. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 6629. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20633-7_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20633-7_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-20632-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-20633-7

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation