TJTSM55 Information Systems Theories (5 cr)

Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English
Responsible organisation:
Faculty of Information Technology
Curriculum periods:
2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020

Description

Content

This course focuses on Information Systems research and the nature of the discipline. We start by looking at the nature of the field as shown by IS journals, conferences, researchers and institutions. This is then followed by a critical examination and evaluation of contemporary IS research on a variety of topics. The idea is to give you a broad understanding of the IS field as a whole. Research in Information Systems (sometimes referred to as Management Information Systems) can be described as both inter-disciplinary and applied. It is inter-disciplinary in that a number of reference disciplines (e.g. Management Science, Computer Science, Organisation Theory, Psychology, Communications and Sociology) contribute some of the concepts, techniques, and research questions addressed by the field. Information Systems is applied in the sense that the focus is on the application of the basic concepts to the problem of analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of computer-based information systems in managerial and organisational settings. The constant introduction of new information technology and the continual discovery of new application areas ensures that IS research is dynamic, relevant and exciting. This course is designed to introduce students to IS research. Students need to understand the nature of IS as a discipline and current research issues and themes. A number of current research areas will be identified and representative papers examined.

Completion methods

Since this course is taught at graduate-level, it is organised as a seminar, and not as a series of lectures. This approach assumes that the lecturers and students can work together in a collaborative fashion. The role of the lecturers in this environment is to establish a framework and put together a set of materials for discussion, and to create the conditions suitable for learning. The underlying assumption is that we are all co-producers in learning. Running the course as a seminar means that all students are expected to participate and contribute equally to the discussion. It is assumed that students will have read and thought about the assigned materials before class and come prepared to contribute to the class discussion. The classes are intended to be a forum for critically reviewing and discussing the set readings; students are expected to participate fully in this process. The course will use a seminar format. Each paper will be assigned to a student team, who will lead the discussion. The students will be responsible for handing in a five-page summary and discussion questions at the start of class. The student will also have overall responsibility for facilitating the discussion of this article.

Assessment details

Pre-Class Online Quizes: 10% of the grade; Paper summary: 10%; Research Proposal: 10%; Essay Assignment: 20%; Final exam: 50%. It is essential in a seminar-based course such as this for both students and lecturers to participate equally. In order to facilitate this, a substantial part of the final grade will be awarded for class participation. This grade will be awarded based on leading the discussion of one article (paper summary), pre-class online quizes and if a student is not able to participate the seminar sessions, the student can compensate this by writing one 2,500 word essay. The purpose of the research proposals is to enable the student teams of 3-4 students to come up with a research topic for the essay assignment. The purpose of the assignments is to summarise a research topic which has been covered in class. The purpose of the final exam is to assess how well the students have understood the given material and how they can apply the theories and concepts.

Learning outcomes

The student will have a good knowledge and understanding of a broad array of research topics and themes within the field of information systems. The student will have a good knowledge and understanding of information systems research and the process by which that research is produced. The student will gain competence in critiquing IS research articles published in some of the leading academic journals and conference proceedings. The student will gain competence in critical thinking, and analysis and synthesis of academic sources. The student will gain competence in verbally presenting arguments in an academic fashion. The student will also learn how to write a literature review on an IS research topic.

Description of prerequisites

The academic goal of most graduate students in the medium term is to complete a unique research project (e.g. Masters or PhD Theses). Therefore, the graduate programme in the Department of ISP is designed to prepare students for doing research. A basic grounding in the concepts underlying research in the discipline is essential if students are to succeed in completing the graduate programme. It is advisable for students to have completed the research methods course (TJTS504) before enrolling in TJTSM55. TJTSM55 is a substantive overview of research in information systems, not a methods course.

Study materials

There is no textbook as such for this course, since most of the readings are taken from IS journals and conference proceedings. However, students are expected to read more widely including additional articles from any recognised journal in IS. Many useful citations can also be obtained from the AIS Digital Library, the ACM Digital Library, and other bibliographic databases such as ABI/Inform, Science Direct or the Emerald Library. Many of these libraries and databases are available online from the University of Oulu Library at http://kirjasto.jyu.fi (usually you are required to login from outside of the university network). Additional citations and resources can be found in the ISWorld Section on Research and Scholarship at http://www.isworld.org/

Literature

  • Barki, H., and Hartwick, J. (2001). Interpersonal conflict and its management in information system development. MIS Quarterly, 195-228.
  • Vodanovich S., Sundaram D., and Myers M. “Digital Natives and Ubiquitous Information Systems” Information Systems (21) 4, 2010, pp. 711-723.
  • Sidorova, A.; Evangelopoulos, N.; Valacich, J. S.; and Ramakrishnan, T. 2008. "Uncovering the Intellectual Core of the Information Systems Discipline," MIS Quarterly, (32: 3) pp.467-482.
  • Peffers, K., Gengler C.E., and Tuunanen T., “Extending Critical Success Factors Methodology to Facilitate Broadly Participative Information Systems Planning”, Journal of Management Information Systems (20:1), Summer 2003, pp. 51-85.
  • Keil, M., Mann, J., and Rai, A., "Why Software Projects Escalate: An Empirical Analysis and Test of Four Theoretical Models," MIS Quarterly (24:4) December 2000, pp. 631-664.
  • Lamb, R., and Kling, R. "Reconceptualizing Users as Social Actors in Information Systems Research," MIS Quarterly (27:2), 2003, pp. 197-235.
  • Hevner, A.R., March, S.T., Park, J., and Ram, Sudha, "Design Science in Information Systems Research," MIS Quarterly (28:1) March 2004, pp. 75-105.
  • Peffers, K., Tuunanen T., Rothenberger M.A., and Chatterjee S., “A Design Science Research Methodology for Information Systems Research”, Journal of Management Information Systems (24:3), Winter
  • Venkatesh, V., Morris M.G., Davis G.B., and Davis, F.D. “User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward a Unified View”, MIS Quarterly, (27:3), September 2003, pp. 425-478.
  • Iivari, J., Hirschheim, R. and Klein, H. K., “A paradigmatic analysis contrasting information systems development approaches and methodologies,” Information Systems Research, (9:2), June 1998, pp. 164-193.
  • Gregor, S. and Jones D., “The Anatomy of a Design Theory”, Journal of the AIS (8:5), May 2007, pp. 312-335.
  • DeLone, W.H. and McLean E.R., “Information Systems Success: The Quest for the Dependent Variable”, Information Systems Research (3) 1, 1992, p. 60-95.
  • Mathiassen, L., Saarinen T., Tuunanen T., and Rossi M., “A Contingency Model for Requirements Development”, Journal of the Association for Information Systems (8:11), article 2, pp. November 2007, 569-597.
  • Gregor, S., “The Nature of Theory in Information Systems”, MIS Quarterly (30:3), September 2006, pp. 611-642.
  • Melville, N., Kraemer, K., & Gurbaxani, V. (2004). Review: Information technology and organizational performance: An integrative model of IT business value. MIS quarterly, 28(2), 283-322.
  • van der Heijden, H., “User Acceptance of Hedonic Information Systems”, MIS Quarterly (28:4), December 2004, pp. 695-704.
  • Lee, A.S., Thomas, M., and Baskerville, R. L.. ”Going back to basics in design science: from the information technology artifact to the information systems artifact.” Information Systems Journal, 25(1), 2015, 5-21.
  • Baskerville RL and Myers MD (2002), Information Systems as a Reference Discipline, MIS Quarterly, 26 (1), 1-14
  • Benaroch, M., & Kauffman, R. J. (1999). A case for using real options pricing analysis to evaluate information technology project investments. Information Systems Research, 10(1), 70-86.

Completion methods

Method 1

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