Start Date
11-12-2016 12:00 AM
Description
Information Systems researchers have paid increasing attention to design theorizing, i.e. to theorize design-oriented knowledge more thoroughly. We contribute to the development of design theories by exploring the implications that the concept of ‘emergence’ has for the development of design theories. Specifically, we focus on linking this concept to ‘artifact mutability’ as one core component of design theories following the accepted anatomy by Gregor and Jones (2007). We enrich the conceptualization of artifact mutability with the differentiation of three types of emergence following Hovorka and Germonprez (2013) and provide actionable advice on how to make corresponding statements on artifact mutability in design theories. With our conceptual analysis, we provide a basis for the systematic inquiry into the relationship between design, artifact mutability and emergence in design science research. Moreover, we identify a set of important questions that can be answered more comprehensively by relying on our conceptualization.
Recommended Citation
Wessel, Lauri; Poeppelbuss, Jens; and Goeken, Matthias, "Exploring the Implications of Emergence for Artifact Mutability in Design Theory" (2016). ICIS 2016 Proceedings. 12.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2016/ISDesign/Presentations/12
Exploring the Implications of Emergence for Artifact Mutability in Design Theory
Information Systems researchers have paid increasing attention to design theorizing, i.e. to theorize design-oriented knowledge more thoroughly. We contribute to the development of design theories by exploring the implications that the concept of ‘emergence’ has for the development of design theories. Specifically, we focus on linking this concept to ‘artifact mutability’ as one core component of design theories following the accepted anatomy by Gregor and Jones (2007). We enrich the conceptualization of artifact mutability with the differentiation of three types of emergence following Hovorka and Germonprez (2013) and provide actionable advice on how to make corresponding statements on artifact mutability in design theories. With our conceptual analysis, we provide a basis for the systematic inquiry into the relationship between design, artifact mutability and emergence in design science research. Moreover, we identify a set of important questions that can be answered more comprehensively by relying on our conceptualization.