Generating and Justifying Design Theory
Munir Mandviwalla
Abstract
This paper applies Simon’s (1996) sciences of the artificial to elaborate a set of structures and processes for developing design theory. Goals, kernel theory, and artifacts inform an inter-related prototyping cycle of design, evaluation, and appropriation / generation to produce strategic design theory. The paper identifies DSR project types to provide signposts for starting and ending the cycle, artifact and evaluation iteration to facilitate the process and provide a chain of evidence, a simplified format for representing design theory iterations, and stopping rules to end the cycle. We use a detailed example to illustrate the ideas, discuss related work, and identify limitations and future research opportunities.
Journal of the Association for Information Systems (JAIS), Volume 16, Issue 5, pp. 314-344, May 2015.
Moving From Access to Use of the Information Infrastructure: A Multi-level Socio-Technical Framework
Pradeep Racherla and Munir Mandviwalla
Abstract
Universal access (UA) to the Internet and the associated information infrastructure has become an important economic and societal goal. However, UA initiatives tend to focus on issues such as physical access and geographical ubiquity, and they measure adoption through penetration rates. In this paper, we apply an interpretive case study approach to analyze the Philadelphia wireless initiative to provide insights into the nature of UA and extend this concept to also consider universal use (UU). UU is important because simply providing access does not guarantee use. UU is presented as a conceptual goal that starts with the challenge of physical access, but which necessarily also leads to considerations of use. The results show that the human and technological elements underlying individual access and use are deeply embedded within various institutional elements and collectives that enable but also constrain meaningful use. We integrate our findings into a multilevel framework that shows how access and use are influenced by both micro and macro factors. This framework provides new insights into the study of the information infrastructure, digital divide, and public policy.
Information Systems Research, 24(3), 709-730, September, 2013.
Web 2.0 and Politics: The 2008 U.S. Presidential Election and an E-Politics Research Agenda
Sunil Wattal, David Schuff, Munir Mandviwalla, and Christine Williams
Abstract
The Internet was a major factor in the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign and has become an important tool for political communication and persuasion. Yet, information systems research is generally silent on the role of the Internet in politics. In this paper, we argue that IS is positioned to enhance understanding of the influence of the Internet on politics, and, more specifically, the process of election campaigning using Internet-based technologies such as Web 2.0. In this paper, we discuss how these technologies can change the nature of competition in politics and replace or complement traditional media. Our empirical study on how Web 2.0 technologies were used by the candidates leading up to the 2008 U.S. presidential primaries sheds light on how these technologies influenced candidate performance. Finally, we outline a research agenda highlighting where IS can contribute to the academic discourse on e-politics.
Management Information Systems Quarterly (MISQ). Volume 34, Number 4, December 2010, pp. 669-688.
Racherla, P., Mandviwalla, M., & Connolly, D. (2012). Factors Affecting Consumers’ Trust in Online Product Reviews. Journal of Consumer Behavior, Vol 11, Issue 2, 94-104, March/April, 2012.
Network Externalities and Technology Use: A Quantitative Analysis of Intra-organizational Blogs
Sunil Wattal, Pradeep Racherla, Munir Mandviwalla
Abstract
We examine the role of network externalities on the use of blogs in an organization. Prior research has considered social influences such as peer pressure, but there is little prior work on how the extent of others’ actual usage can influence an individual’s use of technology. We also examine how technology usage is influenced by positive feedback from others. Finally, we look at how the relation between technology usage and network effects is moderated by demographic variables such as age and gender. the results of the study show that usage of blogs within an individual’s network is associated with an increase in one’s own usage. We also show that network effects are stronger for younger generations and that this relation is nonmonotonic with age. this is interesting considering that prior research suggests that social influences are stronger for older employees. Our results also show that network effects are stronger for women than for men. Further, we show that the impact of age on blog usage in not linear. We also find that feedback or appreciation from others is associated with higher blog usage by an individual. Finally, we subdivide the network effects into various subtypes and find that network effects are strongest for relational networks, and that use of blogs by an employee’s managers is associated with higher usage by the employee.
Journal of Management Information Systems, Vol. 27, Issue 1, Summer, 2010, 145 – 174.
Racherla, P., and Mandviwalla, M. (2008). What Does Universal Access Mean? JAIS Theory Development Workshop, Paris, December 13, 2008.
Improving the peer review process with information technology
Munir Mandviwalla, Ravi Patnayakuni, and David Schuff
Abstract
Peer review is the engine of scholarship where new knowledge is legitimized. Despite technological advances in publishing and communication, the process of review has not changed since it became prevalent over 100 years ago. This paper describes how information technology can be used to improve the peer review process. Taking a combined design science and natural science approach, we design and test a prototype system based on the principles of structured communication. Through an exploratory study, we find that our proposed system is viewed more favorably by both authors and reviewers across several dimensions, including fairness, convenience, and value.
Decision Support Systems, vol. 46, issue 1, December 2008, 29-40.
Wattal, S., Schuff, D., Mandviwalla, M. (2008). Does the Internet matter? A study of the 2008 presidential primaries. The IBIT Report.
Mandviwalla, M. Jain, A., Weinberg, P. (2008). Wireless 1.0. The IBIT Report.
Mandviwalla, M., Racherla, P., Wattal, S. (2008). Social Computing and Networking: Is Your Organization Ready? The IBIT Report.