Product‐oriented design theory for digital information services

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to give a structured literature review, design concepts, and research propositions related to a product-oriented design theory for information services. Information services facilitate the exchange of information goods with or without transforming these goods. Exemplar information services are e-publishing, electronic communities-of-practice, and management reporting. The importance of information services in the current economy merits the development of an explicit product-and process-oriented design theory. Design/methodology/approach -This article focuses on the product-oriented design theory by applying Walls et al.'s framework. A product-oriented design theory of information services identifies relevant descriptive and explanatory insights (i.e. content, use, value, and revenue), meta-requirements, and meta-designs. The paper describes design problems for information services, and gives key requirements for information services. Next, it describes the information, organizational and information technological components of an information service, and identifies at least four information service architectures. Finally, it gives research hypotheses, research ideas, and discusses practical implications. Findings -The results form a product-oriented design theory for information services. The paper gives a structured way for practitioners to analyze information service design challenges, and suggestions are given for requirements and design decisions on three aspects (content, use feature, and revenue). Originality/value -Given the previously fragmented nature of the literature, this paper gives new opportunities for research and practice.

Volunteer-Based Online Information Services to Invisible Users in Underserved Contexts

“…Information processing is often associated with uncertainty and with different meanings and interpretations attached by the user of the information. It is not always possible to know the moment of use in advance and the situations that spark the need for information may be diverse (Kraaijenbrink 2008). The diffusion of technologies, and with more attention given to interface design, the ubiquitous use of processors, and the use of commercially applications have resulted in increased digital services (Mathiassen & Sorensen 2008).…”

“…In the information field the focus is on where the entities such as information, people and technology intersect, interact and/or integrate and what the relations between the entities are (Madsen 2014). The following design challenges are considerations for the design of digitised information services, namely the content, use features, and revenue (Kraaijenbrink 2008). The provision of an information service requires the sourcing or producing of suitable information, the flow of information, content use features such as content-creation options, and data analysis tools to facilitate use (Kraaijenbrink 2008).…”

“…Currently, there is insufficient research describing the mechanisms to manage and utilise available data enabled by technology to create value in a service. It is Prof. Retha de la Harpe difficult to match the cost of providing the information with its value and therefore to recover the cost of its production, organisation and management (Kraaijenbrink 2008). Although young people generally are healthy, many are concerned about their mental health, substance abuse and well-being (Tao et al 2017).…”

Effective approach to quality control for small–medium software companies

“…That is, small -medium software companies in developing countries must find an efficient and cheaper way to measure the quality of software product development, simply as a matter of market survival. Customers currently care greatly about software product quality, because of the high selectivity of other similar software products (Abran, 2010;Wijnhoven & Kraaijenbrink, 2008). Without low-cost and efficient tools to help small -medium software companies produce good-quality products, such companies cannot survive owing to customers finding their product quality unacceptable.…”

“…Additionally, a software project must be undertaken with limited resources, such as time and human resources, which are normally used by software product development (Basili & Turner, 1975;Ropponen & Lyytinen, 2000;Zultner, 1988). Therefore, producing a goodquality software product involves not only fulfilling customer needs, but also ensuring the quality of the software development process and conserving resources (Wijnhoven & Kraaijenbrink, 2008).…”