Dimensions Of Information-Systems Design - A Framework For A Long-Range Research-Program

Even though the two IFIP WG8.1 working conferences on the comparative review and feature analysis of information systems methodologies (ISDMs) have made an important contribution, there is a need for supplementary longer-term comparative research which might gradually produce empirically-based knowledge about what are to be regarded as sound principles of IS design in various circumstances. Due to its scope, this research should take the form of broad international cooperation based on a reasonably common research framework, one close in spirit to that of Ives, Hamilton and Davis. A research framework of this kind should include as one element a profound conceptual model for IS design as a process, an area which is left relatively unanalyzed in the model of Ives et al. For that purpose the paper outlines a framework based on the sociocybernetic metamodel for IS design as a starting point for discussion and hopefully a more elaborate framework.