Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Critical Assessment of Information Systems Action Research

  • Chapter
Information Systems Action Research

Part of the book series: Integrated Series in Information Systems ((ISIS,volume 13))

  • 1713 Accesses

Abstract

The debate between rigor and relevance in information systems research has motivated methodological pluralism in the information systems field. In the recent years IS researchers have applied various methodologies; one such method that is gaining prominence is action research. As qualitative method that emphasis collaboration between researchers and practitioners’ action research has been applied to study IS in various organizational settings. In this chapter we address the issues associated with action research. In doing this we develop a set of criteria to assess the quality of information systems action research. We then provide recommendations to improve both the incidence and the quality of action research in the field.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Reference

  • Argyris, C., Putnam, R., and Smith, D.M. Action Science: Concepts, Methods, and Skills for Research and Intervention,, Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco, CA, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Argyris, C., and Schon, D.A. “Participatory action research and action science compared,” American Behavioral Scientist (32:5), 1989, pp. 612–623.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avison, D., Baskerville, R.L., and Myers, M.D. “Controlling action research projects,” Information Technology & People (14:1), 2001, pp. 28–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avison, D., Lau, F., Myers, M.D., and Nielsen, P.A. “Action research,” Communications of the ACM (42:1), 1999, pp. 94–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baskerville, R., and Myers, M.D. “Special Issue on Action Research in Information Systems: Making IS Research Relevant to Practice — Foreword,” MIS Quarterly (28:3), 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Baskerville, R., and Wood-Harper, A.T. “Diversity in information systems action research methods.,” European Journal of Information Systems (7:2), 1998, pp. 90–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baskerville, R.L. “Investigating information systems with action research,” Communications of the Association for Information Systems (2:19), 1999, pp. 2–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baskerville, R.L., and Stage, J. “Controlling Prototype Development Through Risk Analysis,” MIS Quarterly), 1996, pp. 481–504.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baskerville, R.L., and Wood-Harper, A.T. “A critical perspective on action research as a method for information systems research.,” Journal of Information Technology (11:3), 1996, pp. 235–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benbasat, I., and Zmud, R.W. “Empirical Research in Information Systems: The Practice of Relevance,” MIS Quarterly (23:1), 1999, pp. 3–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braa, J., Monteiro, E., and Sahay, S. “Networks of Action: Sustainable Health Information Systems Across Developing Countries,” MIS Quarterly (28:3), 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Briggs, R.O., Adkins, M., Mittleman, D., and Kruse, J. “A technology transition model derived from field investigation of GSS use aboard the U.S.S. CORONADO,” Journal of Management Information Systems (15:3), 1998, pp. 151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Champion, D., Stowell, F., and O’Callaghan, A. “Client-Led Information System Creation (CLIC): navigating the gap,” Information Systems Journal (15), 2005, pp. 213–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Checkland, P. Systems Thinking, Sytems Practice, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland, P. “From framework through experience to learning: the essential nature of action research,” In Information Systems Research: Contemporary Approaches and Emergent Traditions, P. A. Nielsen and e. al. (eds.), Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiasson, M., and Albert, S.D. “System development conflict during the use of an information systems prototyping method of action research: Implications for practice and research,” Information Technology & People (14:1), 2001, pp. 91–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chisholm, R.F., and Elden, M. “Features of emerging action research,” Human Relations (46:2), 1993, pp. 275–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davenport, T.H., and Markus, M.L. “Rigor vs. Relevance revisited: Response to Benbasat and Zmud,” MIS Quarterly (23:1), 1999, pp. 19–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davison, R. “GSS and action research in the Hong Kong police,” Information Technology & People (14:1), 2001, pp. 60–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davison, R., and Martinsons, M.G. “Empowerment or enslavement? A case of process based organisational change in Hong-Kong,” Information Technology & People (15:1), 2002, pp. 42–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davison, R., and Vogel, D. “Group support systems in Hong Kong: An action research project,” Information Systems Journal (10), 2000, pp. 3–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, D., and Ngwenyama, O. “A report on the use of action research to evaluate a manufacturing information systems development methodology in a company.,” Information Systems Journal (13:1), 2003, pp. 21–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregor, S., and Jones, K. “Beef producers online: diffusion theory applied,” Information Technology & People (12:1), 1999, pp. 71–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hengst, M.D., and Vreede, G.-J.D. “Collaborative Business Engineering: A Decade of Lessons from the Field,” Journal of Management Information Systems (20:4), 2004, pp. 85–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschheim, R., and Klein, H. “Crisis in the IS Field? A Critical Reflection on the State of the Discipline,” Journal of the Association for Information Systems (4:5), 2003, pp. 237–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, C.P. “Information Systems Research and Practice: IT Artifact or a Multidisciplinary Subject,” Communications of the AIS (12), 2003, pp. 599–606.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Hult, M., and Lennung, S. “Towards A Definition of Action Research: A Note and Bibliography,,” Journal of Management Studies (17), 1980, pp. 241–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iversen, J.H., Mathiassen, L., and Nielsen, P.A. “Managing Risk in Software Process Improvement: An Action Research Approach,” MIS Quarterly (28:3), 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonsson, S. “Action research,” In Information Systems Research: Contemporary approaches and emergent tradition, H. E. Nissen, H. K. Klien and R. Hirschheim (eds.), North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1991, pp. 371–396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, K.M., and Bostrom, R.P. “Personality Characteristics of MIS Project Teams: An Empirical Study and Action-Research Design,” MIS Quarterly (6:4), 1982, pp. 43–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kock, N. “Asynchronous and distributed process improvement: the role of collaborative technologies,” Information Systems Journal (11), 2001, pp. 87–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kock, N., and Lau, F. “Information systems action research: serving two demanding masters,” Information Technology & People (14:1), 2001

    Google Scholar 

  • Kock, N., and McQueen, R.J. “Groupware support as a moderator of interdepartmental knowledge communication in process improvement groups: an action research study,” Information Systems Journal (8), 1998, pp. 183–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kohli, R., and Kettinger, W.J. “Informating the Clan: Controlling Physicians’ Costs and Outcomes,” MIS Quarterly (28:3), 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Lau, F. “A Review On The Use of Action Research in Information Systems Studies,” In Information Systems and Qualitative Research, A. Lee, J. Liebenau and J. DeGross (eds.), Chapman & Hall, London, 1997, pp. 31–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lau, F. “Toward a framework for action research in information systems studies,” Information Technology & People (12:2), 1999, pp. 148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levine, H.G., and Rossmoore, D. “Diagnosing the human threats to information technology implementation: A missing factor in systems analysis illustrated in a case study,” Journal of Management Information Systems (10:2), 1993, pp. 55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, H.G., and Rossmoore, D. “Politics and the function of power in the case study of IT implementation,” Journal of Management Information Systems (11:3), 1994, pp. 115–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindgren, R., Henfridsson, O., and Schultze, U. “Design Principles for Competence Management Systems: A Synthesis of an Action Research Study,” MIS Quarterly (28:3), 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindgren, R., Stenmark, D., and Ljungberg, J. “Rethinking competence systems for knowledge-based organizations,” European Journal of Information Systems (12:1), 2003, pp. 18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MĂĄrtensson, P., and Lee, A.S. “Dialogical Action Research at Omega Corporation,” (28:3), 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathiassen, L. “Collaborative practice research,” Information Technology & People (15:4), 2002, pp. 321–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mumford, E., and Weir, M. Computer Systems Work Design: The ETHICS method, Associated Business Press, London, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olesen, K., and Myers, M.D. “Trying to improve communication and collaboration with information technology An action research project which failed,” Information Technology & People (12:4), 1999, pp. 317–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orlikowski, W., and Baroudi, J. “Studying information technology in organisations: research approaches and assumptions,” (2:1), 1991, pp. 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauleen, J.D. “AniInductively derived model of leader-initiated relationship building with virtual team members,” Journal of Management Information Systems (20:3), 2003, pp. 227–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapoport, R. “Three Dilemmas of Action Research,” Human Relations (23:6), 1970, pp. 499–513.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Rose, J. “Interaction, transformation and information systems development-an extended application of soft systems methodology,” Information Technology & People (15:3), 2002, pp. 242–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salmela, H., Lederer, A.L., and Reponen, T. “Information systems planning in a turbulent environment,” European Journal of Information Systems (9:1), 2000, pp. 3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanford, N. “Whatever happened to action research?,” In Experimenting with social life: The social life approach, A. Clark (ed.) Plenum, New York, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, S.J. “The reorganization of the information systems of the US Naval Construction Forces: An action research project,” European Journal of Information Systems (9:3), 2000, pp. 148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Songkhla, A.N. “A soft system approach in introducing information technology A case study of an international broadcasting programme in Japan,” Information Technology & People (10:4), 1997, pp. 275–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straub, D.W., and Welke, R.J. “Coping with Systems Risk: Security Planning Models for Management Decision Making,” MIS Quarterly (22:4), 1998, pp. 441–469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Street, C.T., and Meister, D.B. “Small Business Growth and Internal Transparency: The Role of Information Systems,” MIS Quarterly (28:3), 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Susman, G., and Evered, R. “An Assessment of The Scientific Merits of Action Research,” Administrative Science Quarterly (23:4), 1978, pp. 582–603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vessey, I., Ramesh, V., and Glass, L.R. “Research in Information Systems: An Empirical Study of Diversity in the Discipline and Its Journals,” Journal of Management Information Systems (19:2), 2002, pp. 129–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidgen, R. “Stakeholders, soft systems and technology: seperation and mediation in the analysis of information systems requirements,” Information Systems Journal (7), 1997, pp. 21–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidgen, R. “Constructing a web information system development methodology,” Information Systems Journal (12), 2002, pp. 247–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vreede, G.-J.d. “Collaborative business engineering with animated electonic meetings,” Journal of Management Information Systems (14:3), 1997.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clemson University, USA

    Ravi Narayanaswamy & Varun Grover

Authors
  1. Ravi Narayanaswamy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Varun Grover
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Texas A & M International University, Laredo, Texas, USA

    Ned Kock

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Narayanaswamy, R., Grover, V. (2007). A Critical Assessment of Information Systems Action Research. In: Kock, N. (eds) Information Systems Action Research. Integrated Series in Information Systems, vol 13. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-36060-7_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation