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Ralph Westfall on Information Systems Research Relevance

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The following items are concerned with increasing the relevance of information systems research to organizations, information systems students, and the general public.

Lyytinen, K. et al (1999) "Making Information Systems Research More Relevant: Academic and Industry Perspectives," Charlotte, NC: International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS'99), Session T4.5, pp. 574-577.
Kalle Lyytinen, University of Jyväskylä, was the panel chair. The panelists were Varun Grover (University of South Carolina), Jane Linder (Andersen Consulting, best dissertation award at ICIS in 1989), Haim Mendelson (Stanford University), and James Senn (Georgia State University). I organized the panel, wrote the proposal linked above, and filled in for John Sviokla (Diamond Technology Partners) when his flight was delayed.

Westfall, R. D. (1999) "An I S Research Relevance Manifesto," Communications of the Association for Information Systems (2)14.
This paper identifies the relative advantages and disadvantages of academic information systems researchers, relative to commercial IT research organizations such as Gartner, Forrester, et al and in-house research units of major IT firms. Based on these relative strengths and weaknesses, it identifies five areas where academic researchers can be competitive with our commercial competitors. The paper also includes recommendations for dealing with institutional factors that hamper research relevance. (Based on a two-phase survey of Information Systems academics that initially considered over 1000 papers, this publication was placed on a list of "Exemplary Works in Information Systems Research.")

Westfall, R. D. (2001) "Dare to Be Relevant," Communications of the Association for Information Systems (6)26.
This paper presents two strategies for increasing the relevance of information systems research. The first capitalizes on the current large imbalances between the supply and demand for IS skills in the economy and in the teaching ranks. The second is based on our new ability to present research to a much broader audience through the Internet.

Westfall, R. D. (2009) "If Your Pearls of Wisdom Fall in a Forest...," Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery (52)11, pp. 146-149.
This paper presents another strategy for increasing the relevance of information systems research, and academic research in general. By using search engine optimization techniques, researchers can make their findings more visible to people who can put them to good use. The article outlines a SEO strategy that is consistent with the goals of the search engine companies to provide information that is relevant and of value to their users.

Other SISPA Members' Research Relevance Materials

Communications of the Association for Information Systems, Volume 6

This special issue on information systems research relevance includes 27 position papers on this topic. (Although SISPA membership was not a criterion for participation, at least one of the contributions came from a SISPA member).

Information Resources Management Journal, Vol. 1, No. 1

Carol Saunders edited this special issue devoted to the topic of information systems research relevance. Other well known figures in the IS field contributed the four articles in the issue.

Other Information Systems Research Relevance Links

ISWorld Thread on Relevance: 8-Feb-01 to 21-Feb-01

Sub-thread on IS Theory/Practice: 8-Feb-01 to 21-Feb-01

This exchange of viewpoints started with a post asking for opinions on "the top five (by importance) IS research findings that have had a lasting impact on IS/T practice." It evolved into a general discussion (pro and con) of perceived flaws in the IS research publishing process, which derive from academic tenure and promotion considerations. The lack of impact of IS research on practitioners was one of the most prominent aspects of these discussions.

Disclaimer. Although Ralph Westfall is a member of the Some Information Systems Professional Association, the Information Systems Research Relevance research materials on this page reflect his personal perspectives and are not intended to represent any policies or positions of that organization.

Email: rdwestfall@csupmona.edu      Web page: Ralph Westfall

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