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Understanding artifact knowledge in design science: Prototypes and products as knowledge repositories

  • Berlin School of Economics and Law
  • Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of artifacts in Information Systems regarding their capability to store and transfer design knowledge and to support the researcher-practitioner collaboration. A definition for design artifacts and their characteristics is presented that distinguishes between prototypes and products. Based on three examples for artifacts from the field of Information Systems, deficits concerning the accessibility of artifacts are identified, as well as problems of unintentional embedding of knowledge into artifacts-both results in a 'design science dilemma'. A strategy of 'open artifacts' is suggested, since this might support the collaboration between authors of artifacts (practitioners) and researchers who may want to extract and analyze the embedded knowledge. The work in this paper contributes to a better understanding of knowledge transfer mechanisms in design science and can be used as a foundation for further research in the development of artifact-based knowledge transfer and re-engineering.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication17th Americas Conference on Information Systems 2011, AMCIS 2011
Pages1933-1941
Number of pages9
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
Event17th Americas Conference on Information Systems 2011, AMCIS 2011 - Detroit, MI, United States
Duration: 4 Aug 20118 Aug 2011

Publication series

Name17th Americas Conference on Information Systems 2011, AMCIS 2011
Volume3

Conference

Conference17th Americas Conference on Information Systems 2011, AMCIS 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDetroit, MI
Period4/08/118/08/11

Keywords

  • Design Science
  • Embodied Knowledge
  • IS Artifacts
  • Knowledge Management
  • Knowledge Transfer

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