Information systems as an academic discipline: Looking back, looking forward, and ensuring the future

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to organize and present some of my thoughts, based on my experiences in developing the new IS academic discipline, with the objective of helping others to think about these issues. I often am asked why it happened the way it did. I provided the basis for my response. I am also asked what will happen in the future. I am an optimist, so my views are biased toward a favorable outcome. I explained the basis for my concerns and the basis for my optimism. I concluded with some prescriptions for things that need to be done to secure the future of the academic field. © 2006 International Federation for Information Processing.