Historical Development of Research Methods in the Information Systems Discipline

In this article, we report on an investigation that integrated the results from twenty meta-studies on research methods asidentified by a thorough literature review. By conducting this investigation, we seek to reconstruct the historical developmentof research methods in the Information Systems (IS) discipline. Major results of the investigation are: Only the classicalempirical methods (survey, case study, laboratory experiment, and field experiment) have been the subject of intensivediscussion. Survey, case study, and laboratory experiment demonstrate an upward tendency in their historical developmentduring the past forty years (1968-2006), whereas the field experiment does not. The investigation reveals an average adoptionrate of 24 percent for the survey, 13 percent for the case study, 10 percent for the laboratory experiment, and 3 percent for thefield experiment. Finally, we have not observed radical methodological changes in the IS discipline. Key findings and theirimplications for the future development of the IS discipline are discussed

Outsourcing in the Age of Digital Transformation

Past and current attempts in digital transformation are enduringly changing business, requiring flexible strategic approaches and fast decisions. Companies seem to tend to rely on outsourcing for tackling this challenge. Consequently, companies need IT/IS outsourcing strategies fitting requirements. However, it remains unclear, how decisions on outsourcing contribute to strategic goals and supports successful digital transformation. Hence, in this study we aim at designing a model that enables companies to make their decisions in developing their outsourcing strategy considering digital transformation requirements. By adopting a design science approach, an artifact - the strategic outsourcing contribution (SOC) model - was developed and partially evaluated within one case company. The model provides a structured approach to the development of an outsourcing strategy by integrating transparent decision making. In addition, it provides mechanisms to assess the contribution of the model to strategic goals influenced by digital transformation initiatives and attempts

Blockchain Technology for Emergency Response

As unforeseen situations, emergencies threaten the environment, property, and people’s lives. Large emergencies are characterized by the demand for coordination of a variety of actors, such as civil defense or disaster relief. Communication and information exchange are crucial for coordination. Therefore, a solid, stable communication infrastructure is among the crucial factors for emergency response. New technologies that seem to ensure trustworthy communication must be evaluated constantly. Blockchain technology is widely applied in a broad variety of contexts and is commonly known for its decentralized and distributed governance. This is the motivation for the design and evaluation of a framework for the adoption of blockchain technology in the case of emergency response following a design science approach. Evaluation of the artifact using a specific evaluation framework clearly indicates the suitability of the case for application of blockchain technology

Supporting Healthcare Knowledge Transfer through a Web 2.0 Portal - Insights from Austria

The internet has become a source of huge amounts of information related to healthcare; some is useful while other information can be misleading and even dangerous. Since it is not easy to distinguish the quality of web contents, a portal hosted and maintained by medical experts can lead to more credibility. This article presents the results of a study conducted in Austria that investigates the patients’ need for a web 2.0 knowledge transfer portal hosted and maintained by hospital doctors to provide high-quality information to its patients. The doctors’ appraisals concerning their patients’ demands as well as their willingness to participate in a web 2.0 health online portal by publishing information, by answering questions and supervising user generated contents are investigated. The survey was conducted online using two questionnaires, one for potential patients and one for hospital doctors of an Austrian central hospital. The results show that there is definitely great potential for a hospital to successfully establish a web 2.0 knowledge portal since the current quality of existing online health portals is not sufficient to meet the demands of at least one third of the polled patients

Defocus test and defocus correction in full-field optical coherence tomography

We report experimental evidence and correction of defocus in full-field OCT of biological samples due to mismatch of the refractive index of biological tissues and water. Via a metric based on the image quality, we demonstrate that we are able to compensate this index-induced defocus and to recover a sharp image in depth.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, minor changes, 1 figure adde

Akzeptanz von Distance Working bei Führungskräften

Geänderte Anforderungen an die Arbeitsplätze durch die globale Covid-Krise bedingen Veränderungen des Führungsstils. Losgelöst von althergebrachten Kontrollinstanzen definieren moderne Führungskräfte ihren Stil als „Digital Leader“ wesentlich umfassender und sind essenzieller Enabler, um Distance Working in Unternehmen zu etablieren. Obwohl Ressentiments gegen die Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen im Distance Working bestehen, nehmen Führungskräfte gleichermaßen die Verantwortung für ihre Mitarbeiter und die Unternehmen wahr. Entsprechend ist es Ziel dieses Beitrags, die Bedenken und Herausforderungen von Führungskräften in Bezug auf Digital Leadership und Distance Working zu erheben und mittels Design Science aus dem aktuellen „State of the Field“ wissenschaftlicher Literatur verbunden mit einer beispielhaften Umsetzung ein Konzept zur Steigerung der Akzeptanz von Distance Working zu erstellen. Das entstandene Artefakt wird durch Interviews mit zehn Experten evaluiert. Technische Lösungen werden als Grundbedingung angesehen, die Vertrauenskultur deutlich stärker gelebt als dies von vorangegangen Stilen bekannt war. Führungskräfte empfinden beim Digital Leadership keinen Kontrollverlust, sie bringen den MitarbeiterInnen Vertrauen entgegen und monitoren deren Leistungen. Die Kommunikation wird um die außerdienstliche, soziale Komponente erweitert, da Führungskräfte erkennen, dass Mitarbeiterführung damit vertrauensvoller gelingen kann. Um das Unternehmen weiterhin gut am Markt positionieren und zukunftsorientiert agieren zu können, wünschen sich Führungskräfte im Gesetzgeber einen starken Verbündeten, der den Rahmen so gestaltet, dass sowohl Schutz des Mitarbeiters wie auch individuelle Lösungen gewährleistet bleiben.AIM Austrian Institute of Management Gmb

Application Areas of Predictive Analytics in Healthcare

Applying predictive analytics on large datasets to predict future behaviour is common in finance and industry. This enables companies to act rather proactive than reactive. Adapting such procedures for healthcare systems can hold potential for both the effectiveness of clinical outcome and healthcare management. In order to identify suitable applications an empirical study following a qualitative approach was conducted. First abstract application areas were derived from literature (e.g. prediction of cancer). Then prospective scenarios for the use of predictive analytics were derived from qualitative data, as e.g. prediction of bowel cancer. These rather specific scenarios were clustered using the abstract application areas. An ABC-Analysis was conducted and application areas were then evaluated in-depth using appropriate criteria. The results indicate a wide rage of possible applications that emphasise the demand for further research

Data Governance and Digitalization – A Case Study in a Manufacturing Company

Digitalization poses a number of challenges for companies. In particular, enterprise and IT architectures of companies are becoming increasingly complex. Data architecture - a core element of the IT architecture - is the basic source for communication, decisions and processes. Hence, reliable data requires a homogenous data architecture controlled by guidelines and specifications (i.e., data governance). This study focuses on a requirements-based implementation of data governance. By applying a case study approach, using different data collection and evaluation methods, this study investigates a large-scale manufacturing enterprise’ approach towards data governance. Based on the data collected, recommendations for future action are provided. In particular, the relationship between corporate governance, IT governance and data governance, as well as data quality, are depicted, showing how structure and context are linked to rules, processes and policies. An important role in this context can be assigned to roles that are vital to successful data governance

Kritische Erfolgsfaktoren für die Auswahl eines IT-Serviceproviders am Beispiel der gesetzlichen Unfallversicherungen

Seit der Einführung des E‑Government Gesetzes ist das Thema in deutschen Verwaltungen omnipräsent. Die durch das Onlinezugangsgesetz (OZG) verpflichtende Bereitstellung von Online-Services erhöht den Druck auf die Verwaltungen zusätzlich. Ganzheitliche Veränderungen der Organisation sind nötig, um sich an den Bedarf der veränderten Umwelt anzupassen. Die Bürger*innen erwarten von den Verwaltungen Komfort in der Kommunikation und digitale Verarbeitung aller Anliegen wie im privaten oder beruflichen Umfeld. Eine Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung der Anforderungen des OZG bzw. des E-Governments können IT-Serviceprovider darstellen. Diese sind in der Lage, zentralisierte, skalierbare Soft- und Hardwarelösungen bereitzustellen und Defizite im vorhandenen Know-How sowie Ressourcenengpässe im öffentlichen Sektor zu kompensieren. Entscheidend dafür ist die rechtskonforme und zukunftssichere Auswahl eines IT-Serviceproviders. Dieser Forschungsbeitrag identifiziert und analysiert die für die Auswahl eines IT-Serviceproviders maßgeblichen kritischen Erfolgsfaktoren im Umfeld der gesetzlichen Unfallversicherungen Deutschlands. Aus Sicht der Wissenschaft trägt dieser Artikel somit zu einer breiteren Diskussion im Bereich Strategien zu e‑Government bzw. E‑Governance sowie Umsetzung des OZG bei. Für die Praxis wird aufgezeigt, wie ein strategischer Mehrwert aus der Neuausrichtung der gesetzlichen Unfallversicherungen hin zu einer modernen Verwaltung entstehen kann, um zukünftigen Entscheidungsträger*innen weitsichtige Entscheidungen zu ermöglichen und den Bürger*innen optimierte Services anbieten zu können.AIM Austrian Institute of Management Gmb

Effective Collaboration of Distributed Development Teams through IS Sourcing in Times of Digital Transformation

Organizations in both the private and public sectors are facing significant challenges at present. Globalization, digitalization and transformative situations foster pressure on organizations and organizational structures. Not only organizations but also workforce and the labor market are affected by these phenomena. Furthermore, the shortage of skilled workers in the context of IT and IS, which is becoming more dramatic as the diffusion of digital technologies in organizations continues to increase. Consequently, the aim of this study is to support organizations that rely on IS sourcing and are undergoing digital transformation in enabling their workforce to collaborate effectively. Utilizing Design Science Research, a model to manage collaboration of distributed teams through IS sourcing is designed and empirically evaluated. Results clearly show positive feedback of all evaluators in terms of considered challenges