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Guest lecture Information Systems Prof. Jan Recker

"Are Information Systems Representations? Studying the Pursuit of Success and Failure of Theoretical Programs"

On 14th Oct. 2014,  4 p.m. in "Alter Senatssaal" (Main Building) Prof. Dr. Jan Recker (Alexander-von-Humboldt Fellow und Woolworths Chair of Retail Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia) talks about
 
"Are Information Systems Representations? Studying the Pursuit of Success and Failure of Theoretical Programs"
 
Abstract:
One of the few theories that some researchers consider native to the information systems discipline is a theory developed by Wand and Weber. Their theory posits that the essential purpose of information systems is to provide faithful representations of focal real-world phenomena. Over the past 25 years, this theory has spawned a wide program of work, primarily on the modeling of information systems but also on other phenomena such as data quality, system alignment, security, and effective system use. Nonetheless, the theory has also attracted repeated criticism about assumptions, tests, and results. In this light, a verdict about whether the theory fails or succeeds remains open. We argue a more coherent debate can occur by following a systematic approach to identifying elements of failure and success in research programs. We develop an account of the pursuit of failure and success of representation theory and identify pathways by which these pursuits can proceed more programmatically.  Our research also informs a broader, richer, and more-systematic means for critiquing, developing, and promulgating theories about the core of information systems.
 
Short Biography Prof. Jan Recker:
Jan Recker is Alexander-von-Humboldt Fellow, Full Professor and Woolworths Chair of Retail Innovation at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. His research focuses on process design in organizational practice, IT-enabled business transformations and organizational innovation. Jan’s research has appeared in journals such as MIS Quarterly, Journal of the Association for Information Systems, Decision Support Systems, European Journal of Information Systems, Information & Management, Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems, Information Systems, and others. He is Senior Editor for the Journal of IT Theory and Application, Associate Editor for Communications of the AIS, and a member of the editorial board of several international journals. He has (co-) authored scholarly books on process design, sustainability initiatives and scientific research methods. He has held visiting appointments at universities in Europe, the United States and China.


Anyone interested is welcome to attend. Registration is not required.