The Research Method we Need or Deserve? A Literature Review of the Design Science Research Landscape

Abstract

Despite multiple efforts by senior scholars, Design Science Research is viewed as underperforming given its distinct value for the IS domain. Conducting a descriptive literature review, this study sets out to survey the DSR landscape in the Senior Scholar Basket to measure the actual performance of DSR and provide a benchmark for future DSR strategies and studies. Reviewing 111 studies using a coding scheme developed over seven iterations, the status quo of DSR is depicted and analyzed. The results present: (i) the current balance between theoretical and practical impacts achieved in DSR, (ii) a pattern of perpetual black box prototyping, and (iii) a reluctance to tackle real-world messy problems and deliver practically useful artefacts. Finally, the study provides the IS community with the opportunity to reflect on the shape DSR has taken and decide if indeed this is what the community needs or deserves.