A simple research impacts model applied to the information systems field

Abstract

Research in the information systems (IS) field is presently under pressure to justify its value by speaking to its impact on professional practice. This paper presents a simple model that enables researchers to identify and differentiate their research’s impacts. More specifically, I distinguish between those impacts that occur through directly engaging academic practice with professional practice, and those that occur through diffusion of practices, both academic and professional. I also discuss several conjectures about IS research impacts after analyzing my model.