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Academic Information Systems (IS)
research has a serious utilization and relevance problem. To increase IS
research utilization and relevance, scholars argue that the mainstream IS
research, which is based on the behavioural science paradigm, should be
complemented with research based on the design science paradigm. The
current IS design science frameworks have a strong focus on the IT
artefact, in most cases an exclusive focus on the IT artefact. The
frameworks have very little discussions and clarifications regarding
underpinning philosophies, but most seem to be based on positivism,
traditional realism, or pragmatism. This paper presents an alternative
framework for IS design science research. The framework builds on that the
aim of IS design science research is to develop practical knowledge for
the design and realization of different classes of IS initiatives, where
IS are viewed as socio-technical systems and not just IT artefacts. The
underpinning philosophy of the framework is critical realism which has
been developed as an alternative to positivism and traditional realism as
well as to constructivism (relativism). The framework proposes that the
output of IS design science research is practical IS design knowledge in
the form of field-tested and grounded technological rules. The IS design
knowledge is developed through an IS design science research cycle. The
paper presents how technological rules can be developed as well as the
nature of such rules.
Keywords:
Information systems, IS design, frameworks, rules
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