Are Journals and Repositories Enough? Design Knowledge Accumulation as a Diffusion of Innovation Practice

Abstract

The accumulation of the design knowledge (DK) resulting from Design Science Research (DSR) requires other DSR researchers to appropriate, use, evaluate, modify, and/or extend prior DSR artifacts. Unfortunately, much DK (especially software artifacts) is never appropriated by other researchers for further DSR activity. The lack of take-up of DSR outcomes by other researchers represents a significant waste of resources, reduces the contribution of a DSR project and, most significantly, is a major barrier to the accumulation of DSR knowledge. We believe this problem is mainly a social one. DK appropriation is a decision supported by a communication effort, which suggests relevance of Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theory. While journals and repositories can make quality DK and IT artifacts find-able and available for reuse, supplementary and alternative communication channels may better enable and encourage DK appropriation decisions and thereby, DK accumulation longitudinally over multiple DSR projects. Based on this perspective, this paper explores a peer-to-peer decentralized communication pattern for DK dissemination and appropriation for further DSR projects and DK accumulation. Specifically, we propose (1) a model of DK accumulation as a DoI process (2) two new ‘communication channels’ (i.e., Appropriation Sessions and Marketplaces), and (3) questions (based on UTAUT) to (self-)assess the likelihood of new DK appropriation.