Case Study Assignment from the course IS/IT for Organizing, Communicating, and Coordinating

1. I N F O R M A T I O N S Y S T E M S A S A R E F E R E N C E
D I S C I P L I N E
B Y
I B I D U N M O Y E W E M I M O T O S I N
&
M A R I J A M AT U Z O V I C

2. INTRODUCTION
This assignment was handled by Wemimo Ibidunmoye and Marija Matuzovic. We both
agreed after skimming through the four articles to pick article three which is on
“Information Systems as a Reference Discipline”. We initially complied ten questions
which was then streamlined to the five required questions. Wemimo prepared the
powerpoint slides while Marija edited and recorded the presentation.
Information Systems (IS) as a reference discipline is a paper by Richard L. et al (2002) that
describes how IS researchers in the past viewed IS as an applied discipline by drawing
other more fundamental reference disciplines. However this conventional wisdom is
being questioned as IS have come of age and many other disciplines are now relevant to
IS researchers and the idea of reference discipline can be seen in a different way.
Five relevant research questions were prepared and the reasons why those questions are
interesting for organizational informatics were also presented after reading this article.

3. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1) How have IS evolved from other disciplines to having its own research and scholarly
traditions?
2) How valuable is IS research to researchers in other fields?
3) Will IS continue to influence other fields in the foreseeable future?
4) What strategies should be followed to make IS a reference discipline?
5) How have IS positioned itself for reorientation and reinvention?

4. WHY RESEARCH QUESTIONS ARE INTERESTING
FOR ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATICS
IS have been successful in developing its own research perspective and research
tradition. According to Lee (2001, p. iii), he no longer refers to IS as a reference
discipline but as a contributing discipline. IS have developed its own subject matter
which demonstrates the emergence of a research tradition in IS.
Information Systems are important to both private and public sectors, individuals,
organizations, nations and transnational organizations. Many fields have developed a
research interest in information and communication technologies.
Also, many fields have started to recognize the importance of information technology
and IS. Researchers in different fields have started to do research and impact information
technology and systems in their particular area while new sub disciplines are rapidly
emerging.

5. However, before IS could take its place as a reference discipline amongst others, it needs
to improve in its own mindset to the audience for IS research. The audience must include
at least all the disciplines in business schools and almost all social sciences. Also,
research should be readily accessible to researchers in other fields.
IS over the years through its emergence of research tradition to coming of age has
shown how interesting information systems as a reference discipline is to organizational
informatics. Even though there are still some challenges been faced by researchers such
as social, psychological, philosophical and political barriers. However, there are many
opportunities to redirect IS research. This redirection such as making IS research more
readily available and accessible, researchers seeking insights from other researchers in
other fields, coupled with a strong leadership will make the reorientation and reinvention
of IS achievable.

6. REFLECTIONS
IS have evolved over the years. The ability of IS research to serve as a foundation for
further IS research is evidence of the maturing of the field. IS have also proved to be a
value to others. According to Markus (1983) findings, IS have impacted research in many
disciplines outside of IS. The Business Process Reengineering (BPR) has also shown how
business processes can and must be re-engineered with the help of IT.
Clearly, there has been an explosion of interest in the development use and application
of information systems and technologies. Even though the idea of reference disciplines
is now outdated but IS have become one of the many reference disciplines exchanging
ideas in an intellectual discourse with other disciplines.

7. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it has been seen from this article that information systems is not only
relevant to information technology but it has spread its arm to both informatics and
organizations. When considering IS as a reference discipline, it is important for
researchers to communicate with people in other fields. Even though IS have come of
age and is still evolving, it is important for other members of other research fields to
improve and develop relationships amongst themselves. This will enhance and improve
the reinvention and reorientation of the discipline of information systems as a whole.
References
1) Richard L. et al. “Information Systems as a Reference Discipline”, MIS Quarterly (26:1),
Mar. 2002, pp. 1-14.
2) Lee, A. S. "Editorial," MIS Quarterly (25:1), 2001, pp. iii-vii.
3) Markus, M. L. "Power, Politics, and MIS Implementation," Communications of the
ACM (26:6), 1983, pp. 430-444.