Research directions in information systems

Abstract

The success of a research project depends upon the inputs and outputs selected by the researcher, a poor choice entailing useless results or wasted efforts.To avoid this one might consider the following alternatives: t. Our present knowledge in the subject Information Systems largely consists of facts and engineering techniques, scientific principles being few and inadequate. This imbalance suggests that research aimed at extending the scientific foundations of the subject should yield more significant results than purely technical research. 2. Structural and functional similarities between information, business and academic systems indicate the existence of general laws that apply accross the interdisciplinary boundaries of the corresponding subject areas. Accordingly it should be possible to tran~fer principles and techniques from Business and Education to Information Systems and vice versa. 3. Economic History predicts that mankind is moving towards an Edensque state in which no one is obliged to work for a living. The information systems necessary in that state therefore constitute highly significant problems for re.,;earch.