Map-Making Informing a Framework for Effective Theory-Building

Paidi O'Raghallaigh University College Cork, Ireland

David Sammon University College Cork, Ireland

Ciaran Murphy University College Cork, Ireland

Abstract
As academic scholars in an applied field our central mission is to develop theory that both contributes knowledge to the academic discipline and applies that knowledge to practice. However, our efforts in this regard are being impacted by communication deficits that in turn limit the effectiveness of our theories. The goal of this paper is twofold: a diagnostic one, which reviews the causes of the communication deficits but primarily a therapeutic one whereby we propose a course of treatment for content and presentation issues. While the 'ultimate criterion' for determining the effectiveness of theory is market acceptance this does not prevent us in this paper from putting forward principles, a model, and a method to assist the IS scholar in building effective theory. These tools are derived after considered reflection on the ancient craft and science of map-making. We finish by asking ourselves and our readers whether we need a design science of theory-building.

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Reference:	O'Raghallaigh, P., Sammon, D., Murphy, C. (2010). "Map-Making Informing a Framework for Effective Theory-Building," Proceedings > Proceedings of JAIS Theory Development Workshop . Sprouts: Working Papers on Information Systems, 10(79). http://sprouts.aisnet.org/10-79
Keywords:	Theory, design science, theory-building
Item Type:	Article - Volume 10 Article 79 (2010)
Language:	English
Email:	Paidi O'Raghallaigh (paidioreilly@gmail.com)

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