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The need for systems development capability in design science research: enabling researcher-systems developer collaboration

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Abstract

Information systems as an artefact-oriented discipline require a strong interaction between researchers, developers and users regarding design of, development of, and the study of the use of digital artefacts in social settings. During recent years, performing research in a design science research spirit has gained increasing interest. In larger scale design research endeavours, access to systems development capabilities becomes necessary. Such a unit, InnovationLab, was established in 2006 in a university setting in Sweden. In this paper we are investigating the 5 years’ experience of running this InnovationLab. Our findings point to an innovation lab being valuable for research in general and especially for design science research. However, in order to balance the business of an innovation lab, it will be necessary to provide services for other stakeholders (such as administrative units, teachers, and students) as a means for developing systems development capability aimed at supporting researchers.

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Notes

  1. We are using the term “InnovationLab” when we are specifically referring to the lab we have studied, and we are using the term “innovation lab” as a general term.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business and Informatics, University of Borås, Boras, Sweden

    Stefan Cronholm, Hannes Göbel, Mikael Lind & Daniel Rudmark

  2. Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden

    Stefan Cronholm

  3. Viktoria Institute, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Mikael Lind & Daniel Rudmark

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  1. Stefan Cronholm
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  2. Hannes Göbel
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  3. Mikael Lind
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  4. Daniel Rudmark
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Correspondence to Stefan Cronholm.

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Cronholm, S., Göbel, H., Lind, M. et al. The need for systems development capability in design science research: enabling researcher-systems developer collaboration. Inf Syst E-Bus Manage 11, 335–355 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-012-0199-3

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