Björn Niehaves

Epistemological perspectives on IS research: a framework for analysing and systematizing epistemological assumptions

Abstract.  Over the last three decades, a methodological pluralism has developed within information systems (IS) research. Various disciplines and many research communities as well, contribute to this discussion. However, working on the same research topic or studying the same phenomenon does not necessarily ensure mutual understanding. Especially within this multidisciplinary and international context, the epistemological assumptions made by different researchers may vary fundamentally. These assumptions exert a substantial impact on how concepts like validity, reliability, quality and rigour of research are understood. Thus, the extensive publication of epistemological assumptions is, in effect, almost mandatory. Hence, the aim of this paper is to develop an epistemological framework which can be used for systematically analysing the epistemological assumptions in IS research. Rather than attempting to identify and classify IS research paradigms, this research aims at a comprehensive discussion of epistemology within the context of IS. It seeks to contribute to building the basis for identifying similarities as well as differences between distinct IS approaches and methods. In order to demonstrate the epistemological framework, the consensus‐oriented interpretivist approach to conceptual modelling is used as an example.

Internet adoption by the elderly: employing IS technology acceptance theories for understanding the age-related digital divide

Information technology (IT) allows members of the growing elderly population to remain independent longer. However, while technology becomes more and more pervasive, an age-related underutilisation of IT remains observable. For instance, elderly people (65 years of age and older) are significantly less likely to use the Internet than the average population (see, for instance, European Commission, 2011). This age-related digital divide prevents many elderly people from using IT to enhance their quality of life through tools, such as Internet-based service delivery. Despite the significance of this phenomenon, the information systems (IS) literature lacks a comprehensive consideration and explanation of technology acceptance in general and more specifically, Internet adoption by the elderly. This paper thus studies the intentions of the elderly with regard to Internet use and identifies important influencing factors. Four alternative models based on technology acceptance theory are tested in the context of comprehensive survey data. As a result, a model that explains as much as 84% of the variance in technology adoption among the elderly is developed. We discuss the contribution of our analyses to the research on Internet adoption (and IT adoption in general) by the elderly, on the digital divide, and on technology acceptance and identify potentially effective paths for future research and theoretical development.

A procedure model for process oriented e‐government projects

Purpose – To provide guidelines in the form of a procedural model for e‐government‐indicated business process reengineering (BPR) projects in public administrations.Design/methodology/approach – A range of recently published works, which aim to provide practical advice for process‐oriented e‐government projects, were analysed. Additionally, experiences from several practical e‐government projects were taken into account. The procedural model developed was then tested and evaluated.Findings – There is a lack of process orientation in public administrations. Additionally, existing processes are regularly not applicable to e‐government. Therefore, e‐government projects in practice are not always able to fully implement transactional processes. Part of the value potentially added by e‐government is hence not exploited. One of the main reasons for the lack of process orientation is that there are few BPR methodologies applied and verified in public administrations.Research limitations/implications – The proced...

Towards a unified design theory for creativity support systems

A magnitude of predominantly qualitative empirical and conceptual work has indentified design principles that provide for the design of creativity support systems (CSS). Numerous kernel theories have been utilized to inform CSS design principles. However, the logical next step for design research is pending: this rich field of research may now allow for more quantitative empirical research on the actual effects of particular CSS design features on creative performance. Against the background of this research gap, we first analyze existing CSS design theories applying an analysis framework encompassing obligatory design theory components. On that basis, we extract the underlying independent (latent) variables addressed in design principles. Our contribution entails a unified design theory for CSS, laying the basis for future research in IS design science on creativity-support. Furthermore, we reflect on our approach to develop a unified design theory and discuss its implications for the philosophy of design science.

Iceberg ahead: On electronic government research and societal aging

Abstract More than ten years ago, Peterson (1999, p. 3) warned that “[g]lobal aging, like a massive iceberg, looms ahead.” Government budgets have already been hit hard by a simultaneous increase in governmental spending and a decline in tax revenue related to a growing share of the elderly to the total population. While almost all industrialized countries can expect an aging population and resulting budget stress, the implications of the graying of society for a “graying of e-Government initiatives and budgets” are not readily apparent and therefore constitutes a subject worthy of investigation. Despite the increasing importance of this issue for e-Government in practice, there remains a clear need to assess our understanding and reflection of the phenomenon. Therefore, we examine (a) whether e-Government research presently provides adequate theory, vocabulary, and methods and (b) the extent to which future e-Government research is potentially able to contribute to tackling the substantial theoretical and practical challenges related to societal aging. Accordingly, we pursue a multi-method approach in terms of sequentially applying a retro spective literature review (12 journals, vol. 2000–2009) and a pro spective Delphi study (involving 24 e-Government experts). The results suggest that there is currently a significant gap between actual and potential e-Government research on societal aging. We discuss the implications for future e-Government research and describe potentially fruitful ways of bridging the prevailing gap between theory and practice.

A Dynamic Capability-Based Framework for Business Process Management: Theorizing and Empirical Application

Both incremental and radical business process change are undoubtedly core tasks of Business Process Management (BPM) and, thus, organizational design. The competence to successfully pursue such BPM initiatives represents an important capability which is needed by organizations exposed to a dynamic business environment. While the term BPM is omnipresent, research still lacks both a clear understanding and a theoretical framework in order to explain what constitutes BPM capability. To address this research gap, we apply Dynamic Capability Theory as a helpful means to conceptualize BPM. We further build a detailed framework of sub-capabilities we identify to be relevant for BPM based on existing literature. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of our novel framework in a single case study in the telecommunications industry. Results suggest that organizations need to sense needs and opportunities for process change, seize the change options, and transform the organization accordingly.

Shared Service Center vs. Shared Service Network: A Multiple Case Study Analysis of Factors Impacting on Shared Service Configurations

Shared services have proven to be a key element when it comes to increasing government efficiency by collaboration. Here, we seek to investigate into the shared services phenomenon in the context of government reforms. For this purpose, an interview and document analysis-based multiple case study has been conducted in Germany. The qualitative analysis covers two shared service implementations on the local government level and identifies important preconditions for shared service emergence, namely cost pressure as motive, the existence of key actors promoting the topic and the existence of prior cooperation. Moreover, it is shown that the structure of such previous cooperation determines, if shared services are being organised in a centralised (shared service centre) or decentralised format (shared service network).

Digital Divide in eGovernment: The eInclusion Gap Model

The Digital Divide is a matter of fact in most countries. For instance, senior citizens, citizens without employment, or citizens with low education utilise online services in a distinct way, often to a lesser extent. Within this paper, we examine how such digital divide groups make use of different online services. Here, four types on services are taken into account and contrasted with each other: Internet usage, E-Commerce usage, E-Government for Information and E-Government for Transaction. As a result, we develop the E-Inclusion-Gap Model which addresses gaps between such service-specific usage and we discuss possible reasons behind them.

e-Government Success Factors

Electronic Government (eGovernment) has been seen as the silver bullet for modernizing public administrations over last few years. But fact is that the broad variety of eGovernment initiatives results in an evenly heterogeneous picture regarding the quality of eGovernment services provided. Within an international context differences in eGovernment quality may result from nationally specific factors such as e-readiness, legal restrictions, existence of a nation-wide eGovernment strategy, and so forth. But what are the factors which have influence on eGovernment success and which do not result from national characteristics? In order to answer this question we conducted an empirical study in the northern German region “Muensterland”. The goal of this article is to present this empirical study. Internal data from 56 and external data from 70 local municipal administrations was gathered and analyzed with regard of the question: What are eGovernment success factors?

Critical Contextual Success Factors for Business Intelligence: A Delphi Study on Their Relevance, Variability, and Controllability

The present article investigates critical contextual success factors that influence business intelligence (BI) system success and design in organizations with regard to their relevance, variability, and controllability. The initial set of factors is based on an analysis of extant literature and serves as the basis for further research on this topic. In contrast to previous studies, a Delphi Study provides several advantages such as the validation of possible critical factors by domain experts and the multi-dimensional view on these factors. A carefully selected expert panel investigated the factors not only by means of relevance but also assessed each factor in terms of variability and controllability. This multi-dimensional approach allowed us to identify six distinct clusters of factors with similar attributes and, hence, similar implications for practice. This paper contributes to IS research on critical success factors and system design variables in general and gives specific insights into the BI domain. The results are expected to support BI managers addressing their challenges in BI initiatives and they also provide directions for future research.