2. Theories in Scientific Research 6 6 Explanations of a natural or social behaviour, event or phenomenon. What is More formally, a scientific theory is a system of constructs (concepts) and propositions [relationships between constructs) that "Theory"? collectively presents a logical, systematic and coherent explanation of a phenomenon of interest with some assumptions.. Bacharach (1989) "Organizational Theories: Some Criteria for Evaluation" Academy of Management Review. (14:4], 496-515 Building Blocks to Theory Abstract concepts Age, education, firm Associations between size, trust, agility. What level of analysis? Constructs Propositions constructs Should indicate a cause CIndividual, group (The "What") (The "How") & effect relationship organisational?) Must be testable How will it be measured? The glue that connects Where the theory can the constructs, provides Boundary be applied meaning and relevance Logic Assumptions Cultural (individual or to relationships collective?) Represents the (The "Why") (The "Who", "When" Temporal Cearly or later explanation that lies at & "Where") stages? the core of a theory Spatial [what localities?)Table 2. A Taxonomy of Theory Types in Information Systems Research Theory Type Distinguishing Attributes I Analysis Says what is. The theory does not extend beyond analysis and description. Mo causal relationships among phenomena are specified and no predictions are made 1. Explanation Says what is, how, why, when, and where. The theory provides explanations but does not aim to predict with any precision. There are no testable propositions. IIl. Prediction Says what is and what will be The theory provides predictions and has testable propositions but does not have well-developed justificatory causal explanations IV. Explanation and Says what is, how, why, when, where, and what will be prediction (EP) Provides predictions and has both testable propositions and causal explanations V. Design and aclion Says how to do something The theory gives explicit prescriptions (e.g., methods, techniques, principles of form and function) for construcling an artifact. Example I: Technology Acceptance Model (Davis 1989) 'Degree to which a person believes that using a _ particular system would enhance job ~ performance\" Perceived Usefulness () Attitude Behavioral Toward Intention to Using (A) Use (BI) Actual System Use External Variables Perceived Ease of Use (E) \\\\\\ "Degree to which a person believes thal using a particular system would be free from effort\" Example 2: IS Success Model (Delone and McLean 2003) Quality of information the system can store, Quality deliver or produce e Intention to Use Impacts how system ' P d g : System Net Overall can deliver benefits Quality it Value User Satisfaction How is the service i Service delivered to the end Quality user? 11 Example 3: Organisational Culture Theory Dimensions of Organizational Culture Explores shared beliefs, values, Degree to which Degree to which employees manager's focus on norms, and behaviors that Degree to which employees are are expected to exhibit results or outcomes encouraged to be innovative and precision, analysis, and rather than on how these to take risks characterize an organization. attention to detail outcomes are achieved Innovation & Attention to Outcome Emphasizes the role of culture in Risk Taking detail Orientation Low.,. High Low.. High Low... High shaping employee attitudes, behaviors, and organizational Degree to which Stability Organizational People outcomes. organizational Low.. High Culture Orientation Degree to which decisions and Low... High management actions anphatize decisions take into maintaining the account the effects Suggests that culture impacts Aggressiveness Team status QUO Low... High Orientation on people in the Low... High organization various aspects of organizational life, including communication, Degree to which employees are aggressive Degree to which work is organized around teams decision making, and employee & competitive rather than cooperative rather than individuals motivation. Source: Management by Robbins & Coulter, 7/6, Pearson Education 12 Example 4: Stakeholder Theory Posits that organizations should Internal External stakeholders consider interests of all stakeholders Suppliers stakeholders, primary and Society secondary. Employees Organizations need to consider Government needs and concerns of relevant Manager parties. Company Creditors Emphasizes importance of building mutually beneficial Owners relationships, creating long term Shareholders value. Customers 13 Example 5: Diffusion of Innovation Theory [Roger 1983) Relative Explains how new ideas, Advantage products, or technologies spread through population over time. Compatibility Helps organizations understand and predict the adoption and Complexity Adoption acceptance of innovations, enabling them to develop effective strategies for Trialability dissemination, and implementation. ObservabilityResource Based View of the Firm Theory Knowledge Based Theory of the Firm More Examples That Can Be Used For ldentifying/ Measuring Consltructs... Organisational Learning Theory General Systems Theory Dynamic Capabilites Theory Theory of Planned Behaviour Agency Theory Game Theory Theories, are they useful? Advantages of Theories 1. Provides conceptual framework for understanding complex phenomena. 2. Offers guidance for hypothesis formulation and empirical research. 3. Helps identify patterns and relationships in data. 4. Enable researchers for make predictions and test validity. L Disadvantages of Theories 1. May oversimplify complex realities, leading to limited applicability. 2. Subject to interpretation and debate, leading to different perspectives. 3. Could be influenced by researcher bias or preconceptions. 4. May struggle to keep pace with rapid changes of technology and society. Models in Scientific Research l Models in Scientific Research Models are simplified W h at are representations of real-world systems, or phenomena that M 0 d e | ) aid in understanding, analysis, ' and decision making. Example 1 - Entity Relationship Models Represents the relationships between entities in a database. Solid theorelical grounding that can be expanded to other areas of interest, highlighting relationships, causalities, and impacts. Country Characteristics Melville et al. (2004) It. Competitive Environment Industry Charactersities "Information Technology and 1. Focal Firm Organisational Performance: An IT Business Value Gene Integrative Model of IT Business IT Resources Technology (TIR Human (HER) Business Processes Process organizational Value" Performance Performance Organizations Resources MISQ, Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 283-322 rading Partner 20 Example 3 Company internal factors Culture Structural links Competence Management Information and communication technology Johannessen (2009) determines Influence and is "A Systematic Influence and is influenced by influenced by Approach to Organizational innovation Innovation: The determines determines Interactive Innovation Model Influence and is National and regional influenced by Company external factors innovation systems Customer and supplier relations Innovation as Interactive Learning: A Systemic Model 21 Example 4 AWS Shared Customer Data Responsibility Model. Platform, Applications, Identity and Access Management Customer Clear delineation for Responsibility Operating System, Network, and Firewall Configuration where the nit-side data encryption and data integrity Server-side encryption Network traffic protection File system andfor data) responsibility lies for AWS Foundation Services both customer and AWS Compute Storage Database Networking Responsibility AWS in usage AWS Global Regions agreement. Infrastructure Edge Locations Availability ZonesModels, are they usefm Advantages of Models Disadvantages of Models 1. Provides a visual and conceptual 1. May oversimplify or omit important details, representation of complex systems. leading to inaccuracies. 2. Facilitate communication and 2. Requires careful validation to ensure collaboration among researchers. accuracy and relevance. 3. Support decision making by providing 3. Could become outdated as technology insights into system behavior and outcomes. and understanding evolves. 4. Enable the exploration of \"what if\" 4.Could lead to overreliance, neglecting strategies, and alternative strategies. other sources of evidence, or intuition. 4 Frameworks in NG o Frameworks are structured approaches, \\/\\/ h a t are or templates that provide guidance for solving F ramewor kS? problems, or addressing particular issues. Example 1 Slide 25 of 37 Business KPIs Business KPI Business Innovation Improvements New revenue Business Unit Customer Satisfaction mprovements in: product enablement/ features . Profitability Hevenue, profitability w business capabilities - Service/product performance Customer satisfaction Innovation process measures Mitra et al. (2011) Service/product performance Business Process KPIs Business Process KPI Business Process . End to-and business process Improvements Innovation Scope Business Process performance (reliability, Improvements in business case Contract manufacturing "Measuring IT Performance and efficiency, cost . compliance, for end to end business process Requisition Integration asset productivity) liability, efficiency, cost. tegration with partners compliance, asset productivity novation process measures Communicating Value" Operations Performance Project Performance Technical Innovation Availability, reliability On time Platform performance Cost benchmarks and trends On budget rovements Help desk metrics Employee training/certifications User satisfaction User satisfaction Innovation process measures MISQ, Vol. 10, No. 1. pp. 47-59 Information quality metrics Operations Projects Innovation Performance Area 26 Overall performance Customer Impacts Competitiveness Quality prices New products/ services Economic Leadership Newone of new products Innovation . Shared some Mrslegs process Employee impacts Market inte te market Organisation Impacts Environmental find print loves . Netwerk daily binge Inenergy Inputs Example 2 Innovation process results Dervitsiotis (2010) "Integrated Framework for the Assessment of a Firm's Innovation Excellence" Total Quality Management 27 Example 3 Business Governance Objectives Objectives COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies), COBIT is a widely used framework for Information governing and managing IT. Monitor and Plan and Comprehensive set of guidelines, Evaluate Organise IT principles, and best practice approaches. Resources Helps organizations align IT with Deliver and Acquire and business objectives. Support ImplementExample 4 AWS Cloud Adoption Framework Forces organizations to consider if they are ready to adopt AWS. Provides structure to identify and address gaps in skills and processes. Results in an actionable plan with defined work streams. Previous ISBP Framewaork - Delivered to Dell Technologies GLOBAL DATA PROTECTION STRATEGY Figure 2: Framewerk for cthically aligned Al systems Frameworks, are they useful? A s [l Disadvantages of Frameworks 1. Offer a structured approach to problem 1. May impose rigid structures that limit solving, or decision making. creativity or flexibility. 2. Provide a common language and set of 2. Danger of being overly prescriptive, and practices for addressing issues in a domain. not adaptable to unique circumstances. 3. Can be tailored to suit specific needs and 3. May require significant resources and context of organization or research. expertise for implementation. 4, Facilitate benchmarking and comparison 4. Could foster a checkbox mentality, with industry standards. prioritizing compliance over improvement