Both paradigms are foundational to the IS discipline, positioned as it is at the confluence of people, organizations, and technology. Our objective is to describe the performance of design-science research in Information Systems via a concise conceptual framework and clear guidelines for understanding, executing, and evaluating the research. In the designscience paradigm knowledge and understanding of a problem domain and its solution are achieved in the building and application of the designed artifact.
Three recent exemplars in the research literature are used to demonstrate the application of these guidelines. We conclude with an analysis o f the challenges of performing high-quality design-science research in the context of the broader IS community. Keywords: Information Systems research methodologies, design science, design artifact, business environment, technology infrastructure, search strategies, experimental methods, creativity ISRL Categories: AI01, AI02, AI03, AC03, FB04, IB01, IB02Design Science in Information Systems Research Information systems are implemented within an organization for the purpose of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of that organization. Capabilities of the information system and characteristics of the organization, its work systems, its people, and its development and implementation methodologies together determine the extent to which that purpose is achieved (Silver et al.
995). It is inc umbent upon researchers in the Information S ystems (IS) discipline to "further knowledge that aids in the productive application of information technology to human organizations and their management" (ISR 2002, inside front cover) and to develop and communicate "knowledge concerning both the management of information technology and the use of information technology for managerial and organizational purposes" (Zmud 1997).We argue that acquiring such knowledge involves two complementary but distinct paradigms, behavioral science and design science (March and Smith 1995). The behavioral-science paradigm has its roots in natural science research methods.
It seeks to develop and justify theories (i. e. , principles and laws) that explain or predict organizational and human phenomena surrounding the analysis, design, implementation, management, and use of information systems.
