Information Systems Research Methods, Epistemology, and Applications Aileen Cater-Steel University of Southern Queensland, Australia Latif Al-Hakim University of Southern Queensland, Australia Information science reference Hershey • New York Director of Editorial Content: Kristin Klinger Director of Production: Jennifer Neidig Managing Editor: Jamie Snavely Assistant Managing Editor: Carole Coulson Typesetter: Jeff Ash Cover Design: Lisa Tosheff Printed at: Yurchak Printing Inc. Published in the United States of America by Information Science Reference (an imprint of IGI Global) 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Suite 200 Hershey PA 17033 Tel: 717-533-8845 Fax: 717-533-8661 E-mail: cust@igi-global.com Web site: http://www.com and in the United Kingdom by Information Science Reference (an imprint of IGI Global) 3 Henrietta Street Covent Garden London WC2E 8LU Tel: 44 20 7240 0856 Fax: 44 20 7379 0609 Web site: http://www.com Copyright © 2009 by IGI Global. All rights reserved.
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Summary: "The book deals with the concepts and applications of information systems research, both theoretical concepts of information systems research and applications"--Provided by publisher. Includes bibliographical references and index. Management information systems. Electronic information resource searching.
Cater-Steel, Aileen, 1954- II. Al-Hakim, Latif, 1946- T58.4'03--dc22 2008017753 British Cataloguing in Publication Data A Cataloguing in Publication record for this book is available from the British Library. All work contributed to this book set is original material. The views expressed in this book are those of the authors, but not necessarily of the publisher.
If a library purchased a print copy of this publication, please go to http://www.com/agreement for information on activating the library's complimentary electronic access to this publication. Table of Contents Foreword. xxv PART 1 Information Systems Research Concepts Section 1.1 Methodology Chapter I Conducting Research in Information Systems: An Epistemological Journey. 1 Panagiotis Kanellis, Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece Thanos Papadopoulos, University of Warwick, UK Chapter II Understanding Ontology and Epistemology in Information Systems Research.
35 Francis Chia Cua, University of Otago, New Zealand & Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand Tony C. Garrett, Korea University, Republic of Korea Section 1.2 Guidelines Chapter III A Grounded Theory Study of Enterprise Systems Implementation: Lessons Learned from the Irish Health Services. 58 John Loonam, Dublin City University, Ireland Joe McDonagh, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ireland Chapter IV A Critical Theory Approach to Information Technology Transfer to the Developing World and a Critique of Maintained Assumptions in the Literature. 73 Khalid Al-Mabrouk, University of Southern Queensland, Australia Kieran James, University of Southern Queensland, Australia Chapter V The Challenge of Transdisciplinarity in Information Systems Research: Towards an Integrative Platform.
88 João Porto de Albuquerque, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil Edouard J. Simon, University of Hamburg, Germany Jan-Hendrik Wahoff , University of Hamburg, Germany Arno Rolf, University of Hamburg, Germany Section 1.3 Epistemology Chapter VI A Guide to Non-Disclosure Agreements for Researchers Using Public and Private Sector Sources. Witman, California Lutheran University, USA Kapp L. Johnson, California Lutheran University, USA Chapter VII Applied Multi-Case Research in a Mixed-Method Research Project: Customer Configuration Updating Improvement.
120 Slinger Jansen, Utrecht University, The Netherlands Sjaak Brinkkemper, Utrecht University, The Netherlands Chapter VIII Historical Research in Information System Field: From Data Collection to Theory Creation. 140 Erja Mustonen-Ollila, Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), Finland Jukka Heikkonen, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland PART 2 Information Systems Research Applications Section 2.1 Software Development Chapter IX A Multi-Methodological Approach to Study Systems Development in a Software Organization. 162 Paivi Ovaska, South Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Finland Chapter X Usability Evaluation Meets Design: The Case of bisco Office™. 183 Judith Symonds, AUT University, New Zealand Andrew Connor, AUT University, New Zealand Chapter XI An Analysis-Form of Soft Systems Methodology for Information Systems Maintenance.
197 Ivan Ka-Wai Lai, Macau University of Science and Technology, China Joseph M. Mula, University of Southern Queensland, Australia Chapter XII Design Science: A Case Study in Information Systems Re-Engineering. 210 Raul Valverde, Concordia University, Canada Mark Toleman, University of Southern Queensland, Australia Aileen Cater-Steel, University of Southern Queensland, Australia Section 2.2 ICT Adoption Chapter XIII Analyzing the Use of Information Systems in Logistics Industry. 225 Shaligram Pokharel, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Carman Ka Man Lee, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Chapter XIV Empirical Investigation of Critical Success Factors for Implementing Business Intelligence Systems in Multiple Engineering Asset Management Organisations.
247 William Yeoh, University of South Australia, Australia Jing Gao, University of South Australia, Australia Andy Koronios, University of South Australia, Australia Chapter XV Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Adoption: A Study of SMEs in Singapore. 272 Ping Li, ROC Consulting International, Singapore Joseph M. Mula, University of Southern Queensland, Australia Section 2.3 Web Services Chapter XVI Towards Google Earth: A History of Earth Geography. Halaoui, Haigazian University, Lebanon Chapter XVII Empirical Studies for Web Effort Estimation.
311 Sergio Di Martino, Università di Salerno, Italy & Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Italy Filomena Ferrucci, Università di Salerno, Italy Carmine Gravino, Università di Salerno, Italy Section 2.4 e-Marketing Chapter XVIII Mobile Marketing. 328 Kazuhiro Takeyasu, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan Chapter XIX The Retaliatory Feedback Problem: Evidence from eBay and a Proposed Solution. Malaga, Montclair State University, USA Compilation of References. 350 About the Contributors.
393 Detailed Table of Contents Foreword. xxv PART 1 Information Systems Research Concepts Section 1.1 Methodology Chapter I Conducting Research in Information Systems: An Epistemological Journey. 1 Panagiotis Kanellis, Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece Thanos Papadopoulos, University of Warwick, UK In the first chapter of this section, Panagiotis Kanellis and Thanos Papadopoulos offer a journey through the spectrum of epistemological and ontological perspectives in Information Systems, offering the neces- sary background to the researcher who has to explore diligently the research methods toolkit available and then make a choice. It does not attempt to solve any problems in existing paradigms or present any new ones, but systematically examines and clarifies the underlying set of ontological and epistemological assumptions that underpin every research activity.
After a brief discussion on ontology and epistemol- ogy, the Information Systems field and its underlying paradigms are discussed and, what follows is an analysis of positivism, interpretivism, and a presentation of selected interpretive approaches. Hence, this chapter serves as a guide to be followed by researchers who would like to clarify and evaluate their views regarding epistemological and ontological assumptions, initiating a philosophical enquiry of their own. Consequently, it contributes in aiding the researcher to build a solid background upon which valid and rigorous research in the Information Systems field should be anchored. Chapter II Understanding Ontology and Epistemology in Information Systems Research.
35 Francis Chia Cua, University of Otago, New Zealand & Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand Tony C. Garrett, Korea University, Republic of Korea Ontological and epistemological elements in information systems research are introduced by Francis Cua and Tony Garrett. This chapter argues that ontology, epistemology, and methodology intertwine in a dynamic way. Ontology, as well as epistemology, is both an antecedent and a consequence of methodol- ogy.
This complex relationship has an impact on the methodology which will affect the outcome later on. Understanding how these three elements can be related to each other can help researchers develop better methodologies for information systems research.2 Guidelines Chapter III A Grounded Theory Study of Enterprise Systems Implementation: Lessons Learned from the Irish Health Services. 58 John Loonam, Dublin City University, Ireland Joe McDonagh, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ireland John Loonam and Joe McDonagh discuss the application of a Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM) in addressing enterprise systems (ES) implementation within the Irish health services. In particular, this chapter will be of benefit to researchers and practitioners endeavouring to focus on ERP implementa- tion within health care organisations.
There is a lack of empirical literature to explain the application of GTM for IS inquiry within health care organisations. This empirical vacuum is even more lacking when we turn our attention to ES implementations. This chapter will be comprised of two main sections. The first section introduces GTM, clearly illustrating its benefits to IS inquiry.
The second section provides the reader with an application of GTM in practice. The chapter concludes with reflections on GTM as an approach for IS empiricism. Chapter IV A Critical Theory Approach to Information Technology Transfer to the Developing World and a Critique of Maintained Assumptions in the Literature. 73 Khalid Al-Mabrouk, University of Southern Queensland, Australia Kieran James, University of Southern Queensland, Australia This chapter by Khalid Al-Mabrouk and Kieran James is a polemic which aims to draw attention to the problems associated with use of Western economic rationalist and positivistic worldviews when study- ing IT Transfer issues in the developing world.
In particular, the authors challenge the extensive use of the term “success” in the extant mainstream IT Transfer literature, arguing that it is problematic for several reasons. Mainstream IT Transfer research portrays IT Transfer as primarily linear, incremental, and progressive in line with the economic rationalist belief that a “rising tide lifts all boats.” They sug- gest Marx’s theory of dialectical materialism as an alternative to the dominant hegemony and encourage researchers in IT Transfer to accept the fact that internal contradictions are part of a dialectic system. IT Transfer researchers are encouraged to view local resistance more sympathetically. Concerted efforts should be made to understand and dialog with the other.
Recommendations are made for more inter- view-based case study research in preference to mass-mail out surveys which may prove ineffective in reaching a broad segment of the population in non-Western locations. It is suggested that the existing literature’s preoccupation with educated urban elites and transnational corporations may also prove to be a hindrance to both our increased understanding and radical social change. Chapter V The Challenge of Transdisciplinarity in Information Systems Research: Towards an Integrative Platform. 88 João Porto de Albuquerque, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil Edouard J.
Simon, University of Hamburg, Germany Jan-Hendrik Wahoff , University of Hamburg, Germany Arno Rolf, University of Hamburg, Germany João Porto de Albuquerque and colleagues from Hamburg explain that research in the Information Systems (IS) field has been characterised by the use of a variety of methods and theoretical underpinnings. This fact recently raised concerns about the rigor of scientific results of IS research and about the legitimacy of the IS academic field. On the other hand, a number of IS researchers have argued for a view that values diversity as a strength of the IS field. This chapter supports this viewpoint and analyses the rela- tion between IS research and concepts originating from theoretical debates around transdisciplinarity.
The authors present results from a group of researchers of various disciplinary backgrounds towards an integrative platform for the orientation of transdisciplinary IS research. The Mikropolis platform pro- vides researchers with a common language, allowing the integration of different perspectives through exchange of experiences and mutual understanding. They also discuss some practical issues that arise from the transdisciplinary cooperation in IS research.3 Epistemology Chapter VI A Guide to Non-Disclosure Agreements for Researchers Using Public and Private Sector Sources. Witman, California Lutheran University, USA Kapp L.
Johnson, California Lutheran University, USA This chapter by Paul Witman and Kapp Johnson provides a set of guidelines to assist information sys- tems researchers in creating, negotiating, and reviewing nondisclosure agreements, in consultation with appropriate legal counsel. It also reviews the use of nondisclosure agreements in academic research environments from multiple points of view, including the perspectives of both public and private sectors. Active academic researchers, industry practitioners, and corporate legal counsel all provided input into the compiled guidelines. An annotated bibliography and links are provided for further review.