[AISWorld] JAIS 2014 Volume 15, Issue 9 (September) Contents

[JAIS]

Contents of Volume 15, Issue 9 (September) Journal of the Association for Information Systems (JAIS) Official Publication of the Association for Information Systems

Published: Monthly Electronically
ISSN: 1536-9323
Published by the Association for Information Systems, Atlanta, USA http://aisel.aisnet.org/jais/

Editor-in-Chief:  Professor Suprateek Sarker, University of Virginia, USA


PAPER ONE

The Historical Research Method and Information Systems Research

Jaana Porra, University of Houston 
Rudy Hirschheim, Louisiana State University
Michael S. Parks, University of Houston

Abstract
In this paper, we review the premises and practice of the historical method in order to understand how it can be applied to studying information systems (IS) related phenomena. We first examine the philosophical and methodological foundations of the method. For this purpose, we introduce a four-tiered research framework, which consists of (1) the paradigmatic or meta-theoretic assumptions that guide historical research, (2) pragmatism as an overarching approach or a way of doing historical research, (3) the historical method as the guiding principles for producing history, and (4) a review of some central techniques IS historians have applied in historical research. For point four, we review how McKenney et al. (1997) and Porra et al. (2005, 2006) applied Mason et al.’s (1997ab) seven steps of doing IS history. Finally, we compare the historical method with other methods applied in the IS field today: We compare the historical method with the longitudinal case study, case study, field study, and ethnography.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below:
http://aisel.aisnet.org/jais/vol15/iss9/3/


PAPER TWO

A Coevolutionary View of Information Services Development: Lessons from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Ramiro Montealegre, University of Colorado at Boulder 
Dirk Hovorka, University of Sydney 
Matt Germonprez, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Abstract
This study investigates the process of information services development based on a case study of the experience of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In this study, we develop theoretical constructs that can inform researchers and practitioners on (1) what the critical domains and interactions associated with the emerging process of information service development at these organizations were, and (2) how information services at NOAA evolved over time? Adopting a coevolutionary view, we identified distinct yet interdependent domains that affected, and were affected by, the information services development process; these were: (1) services choreography, through which service interactions and collaborations are managed; (2) services orchestration, through which service processes are selected and interact; and (3) services instrumentation, by which services are developed and architected. Using the coevolutionary view, we uncovered three adaptive principles that explain the interplay among domains and interactions over time: adaptive tensions, requisite variety, and modular design. We discuss our findings’ implications for research and practice and offer propositions for future research.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below:
http://aisel.aisnet.org/jais/vol15/iss9/2/

 
PAPER THREE

Multilevel Research in Information Systems: Concepts, Strategies, Problems, and Pitfalls

France Belanger. Virginia Tech
Meghann Cefaratti. Northern Illinois University
Traci Carte, Kennesaw State University
Steven E. Markham, Virginia Tech

Abstract
Information systems (IS) researchers often explore complex phenomena that result from the interplay between technologies and human actors; as such, IS research frequently involves constructs found at multiple levels of analysis, although rarely recognized as such. In fact, our targeted review of the IS literature found minimal explicit consideration of the issues posed by multilevel research although a number of studies implicitly conducted research at multiple levels. In this paper, we discuss the issues that result from not explicitly recognizing the multilevel nature of one’s work and offer guidance on how to identify and explicitly conduct multilevel IS research. Recognizing the relevance of multilevel research for the IS domain, we discuss a systematic approach to conduct quantitative multilevel IS research that is grounded in an overarching framework that focuses equally on testing variables and entities. We also highlight the unique role of IS in developing multilevel opportunities for researchers. Finally, we identify a number of gaps within the IS literature in which specific multilevel research questions may be articulated. Such explicit consideration of multilevel issues in future IS research will not only improve IS research but contribute to the larger discourse on multilevel research.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below:
http://aisel.aisnet.org/jais/vol15/iss9/1/