An Information Systems Design Theory for Maturity Models in Complex Domains

Authors

Katja Bley, TU DresdenFollow

Paper Type

FP

Paper Number

259

Abstract

Maturity models are regarded by researchers and practitioners as supportive tools for organizations to improve performance in various domains. The development process, however, still lacks theoretical and conceptual knowledge on how to design maturity models in complex domains like digitalization, which is why their applicability is often limited. To address this shortcoming, we develop an information systems design theory for maturity models based on configurational theory. We argue that configurational methods can depict domain-driven complexity and, furthermore, are able to identify sector- and size-specific evolutionary paths of organizational maturity, which enables the developer to derive more realistic and useful maturity models. We provide design principles for a method and model artifact in complex domains and demonstrate their applicability in an exemplary instantiation of design theory. Furthermore, we discuss artifact mutability and testable propositions, which are so far missing in the field of maturity model design research.

Recommended Citation

Bley, Katja, "An Information Systems Design Theory for Maturity Models in Complex Domains" (2021). PACIS 2021 Proceedings. 45.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2021/45