Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Role and Impact of Descriptive Theories in Creating Knowledge in Design Science

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications (CHIRA 2017)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 654))

  • 423 Accesses

Abstract

In this paper, we clarify the role of descriptive knowledge in creating prescriptive knowledge with design science research. We demonstrate the connection by presenting an approach that utilizes kernel theories produced by the grounded theory research methodology in the creation of meta-level design science artefacts. These meta-level artefacts can be used to inform the design processes of situational artefacts, such as instantiations of software and services. We demonstrate and evaluate the approach further by using it to frame an ongoing research project that creates a meta-artefact to address issues in smart city service design.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • 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

References

  1. Hevner, A.R., March, S.T., Park, J., Ram, S.: Design science in information systems research. MIS Q. 28, 75–105 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Hevner, A.R.: The three cycle view of design science research. Scand. J. Inf. Syst. 19, 87 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gregor, S., Hevner, A.R.: Positioning and presenting design science research for maximum impact. MIS Q. 37, 337–355 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Iivari, J.: A paradigmatic analysis of information systems as a design science. Scand. J. Inf. Syst. 19, 5 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gregor, S., Jones, D.: The anatomy of a design theory. J. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 8, 312 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kuechler, W., Vaishnavi, V.: A framework for theory development in design science research: multiple perspectives. J. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 13, 395 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Kuechler, B., Vaishnavi, V.: On theory development in design science research: anatomy of a research project. Eur. J. Inf. Syst. 17, 489–504 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ostrowski, L., Helfert, M.: Business process modelling in design science paradigm. In: Helfert, M., Donnellan, B., Kenneally, J. (eds.) EDSS 2013. CCIS, vol. 447, pp. 111–122. Springer, Cham (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13936-4_10

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  9. Ostrowski, Ł., Helfert, M., Hossain, F.: A conceptual framework for design science research. In: Grabis, J., Kirikova, M. (eds.) BIR 2011. LNBIP, vol. 90, pp. 345–354. Springer, Heidelberg (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-24511-4_27

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  10. Ostrowski, L., Helfert, M.: Reference model in design science research to gather and model information. In: AMCIS 2012 Proceedings (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ostrowski, L., Helfert, M., Xie, S.: A conceptual framework to construct an artefact for meta-abstract design knowledge in design science research. In: 2012 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, pp. 4074–4081 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Goldkuhl, G., Lind, M.: A multi-grounded design research process. In: Winter, R., Zhao, J.Leon, Aier, S. (eds.) DESRIST 2010. LNCS, vol. 6105, pp. 45–60. Springer, Heidelberg (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13335-0_4

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  13. Glaser, B., Strauss, A.L.: The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Aldine, Chicago (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Corbin, J.M., Strauss, A.: Grounded theory research: procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria. Qual. Sociol. 13, 3–21 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Urquhart, C., Lehmann, H., Myers, M.D.: Putting the ‘theory’ back into grounded theory: guidelines for grounded theory studies in information systems. Inf. Syst. J. 20, 357–381 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Pourzolfaghar, Z., Helfert, M.: Taxonomy of smart elements for designing effective services. In: AMCIS 2017 Proceedings (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Knutas, A., Pourzolfaghar, Z., Helfert, M.: A meta-level design science process for integrating stakeholder needs. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications. Scitepress – Science and Technology Publications, Funchal (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hevner, A., Chatterjee, S.: Design Research in Information Systems. Springer, Boston (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5653-8

    Book  Google Scholar 

  19. Lee, A.S.: MIS quarterly’s editorial policies and practices. MIS Q. 25, iii–vii (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Simon, H.A.: The Sciences of the Artificial. MIT Press, Cambridge (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Cross, N.: Design/science/research: developing a discipline. In: Fifth Asian Design Conference: International Symposium on Design Science, Su Jeong Dang Printing Company, Seoul (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Peffers, K., Tuunanen, T., Rothenberger, M.A., Chatterjee, S.: A design science research methodology for information systems research. J. Manag. Inf. Syst. 24, 45–77 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Goldkuhl, G.: Design theories in information systems-a need for multi-grounding. JITTA: J. Inf. Technol. Theory Appl. 6, 59 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Sun, Y., Kantor, P.B.: Cross-evaluation: a new model for information system evaluation. J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci. Technol. 57, 614–628 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Pries-Heje, J., Baskerville, R., Venable, J.: Strategies for design science research evaluation. In: ECIS 2008 Proceedings, pp. 1–12 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Venable, J.: A framework for design science research activities. In: Emerging Trends and Challenges in Information Technology Management: Proceedings of the 2006 Information Resource Management Association Conference, pp. 184–187. Idea Group Publishing (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Martin, P.Y., Turner, B.A.: Grounded theory and organizational research. J. Appl. Behav. Sci. 22, 141–157 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Adams, L.A., Courtney, J.F.: Achieving relevance in IS research via the DAGS framework. In: 2004 Proceedings of the 37th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, pp. 10–pp. IEEE (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kinnunen, P., Simon, B.: Building theory about computing education phenomena: a discussion of grounded theory. In: Proceedings of the 10th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research, pp. 37–42. ACM, New York (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Glaser, B.G.: Theoretical Sensitivity: Advances in the Methodology of Grounded Theory. Sociology Press, Mill Valley (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Strauss, A.L.: Qualitative Analysis for Social Scientists. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1987)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  32. Strauss, A., Corbin, J.M.: Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. Sage Publications Inc., Thousand Oaks (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Gregor, S.: The nature of theory in information systems. MIS Q. 30, 611–642 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Van de Ven, A.H.: Engaged Scholarship: A Guide for Organizational and Social Research. Oxford University Press, New York (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Urquhart, C.: Grounded Theory for Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide. SAGE, Thousand Oaks (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Gregory, R.W.: Design science research and the grounded theory method: Characteristics, differences, and complementary uses. In: Heinzl, A., Buxmann, P., Wendt, O., Weitzel, T. (eds.) Theory-Guided Modeling and Empiricism in Information Systems Research, pp. 111–127. Springer, Heidelberg (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7908-2781-1_6

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  37. Holmström, J., Ketokivi, M., Hameri, A.-P.: Bridging practice and theory: a design science approach. Decis. Sci. 40, 65–87 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Merton, R.K.: Social Theory and Social Structure. Simon and Schuster, New York (1968)

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Anthopoulos, L., Janssen, M., Weerakkody, V.: A unified smart city model (USCM) for smart city conceptualization and benchmarking. Int. J. Electron. Gov. Res. (IJEGR) 12, 77–93 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Booch, G.: Enterprise architecture and technical architecture. IEEE Softw. 27, 96 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Kondepudi, S.N., et al.: Smart sustainable cities analysis of definitions. The ITU-T Focus Group for Smart Sustainable Cities (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Ferguson, D., Sairamesh, J., Feldman, S.: Open frameworks for information cities. Commun. ACM 47, 45–49 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Weisman, R.: An Overview of TOGAF Version 9.1. Publ. by Open Gr. 43 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The work of the first author was supported by the Ulla Tuominen Foundation. This work was supported, in part, by Science Foundation Ireland grant 13/RC/2094 and co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund through the Southern & Eastern Regional Operational Programme to Lero - the Irish Software Research Centre (www.lero.ie).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lero, The Irish Software Research Centre, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland

    Antti Knutas

  2. Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland

    Zohreh Pourzolfaghar & Markus Helfert

Authors
  1. Antti Knutas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zohreh Pourzolfaghar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Markus Helfert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antti Knutas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria

    Andreas Holzinger

  2. IT- Institute of Telecommunications, Lisbon, Portugal

    Hugo Plácido Silva

  3. Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    Markus Helfert

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Knutas, A., Pourzolfaghar, Z., Helfert, M. (2019). The Role and Impact of Descriptive Theories in Creating Knowledge in Design Science. In: Holzinger, A., Silva, H., Helfert, M. (eds) Computer-Human Interaction Research and Applications. CHIRA 2017. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 654. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32965-5_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32965-5_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-32964-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-32965-5

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation