The students must satisfy the admissions requirements for the PhD programme specialisation in Information Systems.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
describe the theoretical foundations of contemporary information systems (IS) research
discuss the relationship between key theoretical approaches and research methodology, ontology, and epistemology
evaluate the appropriateness and usability of these approaches in relation to his/her own research interests in information systems
discuss the relationship and impact of theories in relation to his/her dissertation topic
compare, appraise and critique theoretical/conceptual frameworks on the relationship between information technology (IT) and organization
characterize and compare various traditions of information systems research
Course contents
The objective of this course is to provide a theoretical foundation for research in information systems. The course will introduce students to the major influential theories and current research streams in the field of information systems. The course will provide participants with understanding of the micro and macro perspectives on the utilization of information technology and information systems, and the mutual relationship between information systems and organizational and social structure and behaviour.
The role of theory in IS research
The concept of IT/IS artefacts as the core of the IS discipline
Examples of influential theories in IS research and their ontological, epistemological and methodological assumptions and implications
Theories on IT and organizational change, innovation and strategy
Theories on global issues in IS
Teaching methods
Lectures (intensive two- week period)
Each session has compulsory readings and readings for discussion assigned. Students will be assigned specific papers to read and discuss with the class.
Interactive seminar after each lecture
Individual study of the literature and reflection
Writing term paper
Supervision and feedback by the teachers on term papers
Assessment methods and criteria
The students will be evaluated based on a term paper in which they introduce one or more selected theoretical approaches and reflect on these related to their dissertation research.
The term paper will be graded as pass or fail, where pass is equivalent to a grade B or better. In addition to the examination, students will be asked to read and present papers during the lecture sessions. This participation is compulsory and will be taken into consideration in the finalization of the grade.
Evaluation
The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.