Robert W. Smyth

IS Researcher Issues

This paper reports on an international study of the key issues facing Information Systems researchers. A variant of the Delphi method was used to identify and rank the issues. The results identified a consistent and unified group of issues facing most researchers surveyed, regardless of location or research orientation. The results suggest that a reliable and valid instrument is available to measure key issues facing IS researchers. Further work to broaden the relevance to all regions is suggested.

The role of the doctoral consortium: An Information Systems signature pedagogy?

The doctoral consortium is a well-established, widely endorsed event in the information systems (IS) discipline that occurs adjunct to mainstream IS conferences (e.g., ICIS, ECIS, PACIS, AMCIS). Anecdotal evidence suggests that PhD students’ experience of these events is almost universally positive; some have referred to the events as “life changing” or “magical”. Further, both participating students and scholars strongly perceive the events’ value. To extend the experience to more PhD students, doctoral consortia are more recently being run locally and unaffiliated with any conference. By reviewing the literature and historical documents and conducting a series of interviews and email exchanges with past conference co-chairs, we explore the merits of IS doctoral consortia (consortia). We position the IS doctoral consortium as distinct from forms of doctoral student development in other disciplines, a veritable “signature pedagogy” for IS. In examining the practices and motivations underlying doctoral consortia, we explain related phenomena to improving future consortia. In addition, by appending much historical detail, we add to the IS discipline’s organizational memory.

Administrative Placement of the Information Systems Academic Discipline: A Comparative SWOT Analysis of Queensland University of Technology and Korea University

Abstract This study uses SWOT analysis to explore perceptions of differential administrative placement of the Information Systems academic discipline within two Universities. The analysis provides a useful basis for decision makers to exploit opportunities and minimise external threats. The study also offers useful insights for Information Systems academics contemplating administrative relocation of their group. The paper serves the dual-purpose of (1) informing the positioning of IS in the two case Institutions, while (2) evolving an approach and related tools for usefully extending the SWOT analysis to other Institutions and States, and across time. The extension of the analysis to other States and to IS groups in differing circumstances will broaden the relevance of study findings, while improving our understanding of differential placement of IS and perceptions of the relative advantages of the alternatives.