Business and Information Systems Engineering: A Complementary Approach to Information Systems – What We Can Learn from the Past and May Conclude from Present Reflection on the Future

Abstract

Special IssueHans Ulrich Buhl University of Augsburg hans-ulrich.buhl@wiwi.uni-augsburg.de Günter Müller

The Sustainability Imperative in Information Systems Research

“…Encouragingly, IS scholars have begun to translate explanatory and predictive theory into green IS design knowledge (e.g., Recker, 2016;Seidel, Chandra Kruse, Székely, Gau, & Stieger, forthcoming;Watts & Wyner, 2011). However, those steps are only first ones, and successful practice research requires deep engagement with industry practitioners and policy makers-"engaged scholarship" that employs new forms of knowledge generation aimed at providing both scientific and practical knowledge (Buhl, Müller, Fridgen, & Röglinger, 2012;Mathiassen & Nielsen, 2008;Van de Ven, 2007).…”

Business and Information Systems Engineering -- In Quest for Research and Education Agenda in Europe

“…The Business and Information Systems Engineering (BISE) ontology is complex non-linear domain and the axiology and epistemology should be more focused otherwise the approach becomes the theory of everything without anything [37]. It is possible that Business and Information Systems Engineering (BISE) will not gain its role in society when "strong-theory-will-lead-to-practical-implications" principle is the dominant research-funding paradigm in Europe [38]. Horizon 2020 funding is not addressing this domain as relevant when falling between DG Research and DG Innovation funding, and "the top journal review process weights [ ] 2.5 % practical relevance" [39].…”

On Dinosaurs, Measurement Ideologists, Separatists, and Happy Souls

“…On the other hand, many BISE researchers had a problem with fulfilling the raising publication criteria as, for a long time, they had no external pressure to publish in journals with rigor requirements and industry collaboration was an accepted source of legitimation at numerous schools. Some other reasons are given in Buhl et al (2012). Basically, BISE researchers reacted in two ways on the changes in the scientific ecosystem: Some -particularly tenured ones among them -decided to concentrate on journals, conferences, and workshops that put strong emphasis on knowledge transfer with industry.…”

“…This is because they prototypically epitomize characteristics that are shared by almost all communities worldwide (Buhl et al 2012;Frank et al 2008). Both communities have developed rather independently in the last decades and, as will be seen below, feature complementary strengths and weaknesses today.…”