A study of social collaboration tools adoption methodology, driven by the increasing influence of technology savvy younger generation in the workforce.
The paper from Hevner et. al. (2004) serves three purposes: It provides an introduction to IS research paradigm, proposed some guideline for design-science research, and use three examples to provide clarity on applying the guidelines in practice.
The authors started off with an introduction to two related research paradigm: behavioural science which seeks to uncover truth, and design-science which seeks to extend boundaries of knowledge by creating new and innovative artefacts. In the business context, these two paradigm continuously interact with one another: Truth and utility is inseparable. As behavioural science identify the problems (truth), design science provides or creates a utility to solve it.
For the main part of the research, the authors specifies seven guidelines for researchers interested in performing design-science research. (1) Design-science research must produce a viable artefact, (2) address important and relevant problem, (3) evaluated in the business environment using quality attributes, (4) contribute to knowledge, (5) use rigorous methods in the creation and evaluation of the artefact, (6) use available means to reach the desired ends while satisfying laws, and (7) presented to both technology and management-oriented audiences. They are not a strict guideline (i.e. not mandatory), and need to be used in context of the nature of the problem and environment. The bottom line for researchers is that the new artefact must provide a utility that can be demonstrated.
For the last part, the authors uses three exemplar articles and analysed how they fared compared to the proposed design-science guidelines. The first example (Gavish and Gerdes, 1998) demonstrates methods as an IT artefacts, while the rest demonstrates instantiation as an IT artefact.
Overall, the paper provides a good source of knowledge for design-science researchers. However, there are a couple of drawbacks. (1) The flow of the argument can be improved, sometimes the authors jump back and forth from one concept to the other without a clear purpose , (2) a model could have been developed to summarise metrics to help new researchers use the guidelines effectively.
I've set up this blog to record and collect my thoughts on my way to complete my research degree.
I intend to use this blog as a communication tool, not only with my research supervisors but also with everyone else who would like to share their experience and thoughts on the subject matter of my research.
To provide insight from an IT perspective, as workplace habits and norms are changing influenced by the growing proportion of technology savvy younger generations in the workforce.