Dealing with Complexity in Design Science Research: A Methodology Using Design Echelons

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Tuunanen, Tuure; Winter, Robert; vom Brocke, Jan
• 署名单位: University of Jyvaskyla; University of St Gallen; University of Munster
• 刊物名称: MIS QUARTERLY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0276-7783
• DOI: 10.25300/MISQ/2023/16700
• 发表日期: 2024
• 页码: 427-458
• 关键词: SPECIAL-ISSUE; INFORMATION; anatomy; search; logic

摘要

Design science research (DSR) aims to generate knowledge about innovative solutions to real-world problems. Consequently, DSR needs to deal with the complexity related to problem and solution spaces involving sociotechnical phenomena that people perceive differently and are subject to constant change. This complexity poses challenges to sequential, process-based approaches-specifically, the existing DSR methodology. We designed a DSR methodology that extends existing approaches by adding a complementary organizing logic to address complexity. Based on the theory of hierarchical, multilevel systems, we suggest organizing DSR based on the concept of echelons-meaning decomposing DSR projects into smaller logically coherent self-contained parts-and suggest a set of five design echelons that imply a hierarchical organizing logic for DSR projects. The echeloned DSR (eDSR) methodology was developed in five iterations, involving seven design and evaluation episodes.