Publications
With our publications we cover the most diverse research areas that arise in the field of man, task and technology. In addition to traditional Business Information Systems topics such as knowledge management and business process management, you will also find articles on current topics such as blended learning, cloud computing or smart grids. Use this overview to get an impression of the range and possibilities of research in Business Information Systems at the University of Duisburg-Essen.
Type of Publication: Article in Collected Edition
Theories in the Light of Contingency and Change: Possible Future Worlds and Well-Grounded Hope as a Supplement to Truth
- Author(s):
- Frank, Ulrich
- Title of Anthology:
- Proceedings of the 50th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS-50)
- pages:
- 5727-5736
- Publication Date:
- 2017
- ISBN:
- 978-0-9981331-0-2
- Digital Object Identifier (DOI):
- doi:10.24251/HICSS.2017.690
- Link to complete version:
- http://hdl.handle.net/10125/41853
- Citation:
- Download BibTeX
Abstract
Based on a critical account of the dominant concept of theory, the paper presents an alterna-tive, wider notion of theory. It is motivated by the need to cope with a contingent research subject and the assumption that IS should provide an orientation for managing the digital transfor-mation. Unlike neo-positivistic notions of theory, the proposed conception is not restricted to de-scriptions of the factual, but may be aimed at de-signing possible future worlds. Conceiving of possible future worlds requires overcoming the barriers created by language that constitutes our idea of the present world. The paper discusses the resulting methodological challenges and outlines how they might be addressed.