---
_id: '65311'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: Information Systems (IS) is rooted in systems theory. Systems theory offers
    powerful concepts to address challenges of growing system complexity and non-systemic
    design approaches in information systems. Despite its systemic origins, systems
    theory remains a peripheral topic in IS. The study addresses this gap by introducing
    a comprehensive framework of 52 systems-theoretical concepts to guide the design
    of complex IS artifacts. We synthesize scattered systems knowledge from diverse
    disciplines to provide a unified level of abstraction for complex information
    system design. We apply the framework to a use case of business reputation systems
    to show how the systems lens informs the design of a novel, complex information
    system. We make three key contributions to the literature. First, the framework
    provides a common ground for interdisciplinary research in information system
    design. Second, it offers a unified level of abstraction grounded in systems theory
    that serves as a coherent basis for artifact design. Third, it demonstrates the
    potential of systems theory as a foundational justificatory knowledge base. Furthermore,
    we provide guidance on applying the framework across multiple modes of reasoning,
    alongside further application guidelines. The study thus serves as a bridge between
    the body of systems knowledge and contextual design in IS.
alternative_title:
- Design Your System
article_type: review
author:
- first_name: Ulvi
  full_name: Ibrahimli, Ulvi
  last_name: Ibrahimli
- first_name: Simon
  full_name: Hemmrich, Simon
  last_name: Hemmrich
- first_name: Axel
  full_name: Winkelmann, Axel
  last_name: Winkelmann
citation:
  ama: 'Ibrahimli U, Hemmrich S, Winkelmann A. Bridging Systems Theory and Information
    Systems: A Framework for Designing Complex Information Systems. <i>Communication
    of the Association for Information Systems</i>. Published online 2026. doi:<a
    href="https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/">https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/</a>'
  apa: 'Ibrahimli, U., Hemmrich, S., &#38; Winkelmann, A. (2026). Bridging Systems
    Theory and Information Systems: A Framework for Designing Complex Information
    Systems. <i>Communication of the Association for Information Systems</i>. <a href="https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/">https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/</a>'
  bibtex: '@article{Ibrahimli_Hemmrich_Winkelmann_2026, title={Bridging Systems Theory
    and Information Systems: A Framework for Designing Complex Information Systems},
    DOI={<a href="https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/">https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/</a>},
    journal={Communication of the Association for Information Systems}, publisher={AIS},
    author={Ibrahimli, Ulvi and Hemmrich, Simon and Winkelmann, Axel}, year={2026}
    }'
  chicago: 'Ibrahimli, Ulvi, Simon Hemmrich, and Axel Winkelmann. “Bridging Systems
    Theory and Information Systems: A Framework for Designing Complex Information
    Systems.” <i>Communication of the Association for Information Systems</i>, 2026.
    <a href="https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/">https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/</a>.'
  ieee: 'U. Ibrahimli, S. Hemmrich, and A. Winkelmann, “Bridging Systems Theory and
    Information Systems: A Framework for Designing Complex Information Systems,” <i>Communication
    of the Association for Information Systems</i>, 2026, doi: <a href="https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/">https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/</a>.'
  mla: 'Ibrahimli, Ulvi, et al. “Bridging Systems Theory and Information Systems:
    A Framework for Designing Complex Information Systems.” <i>Communication of the
    Association for Information Systems</i>, AIS, 2026, doi:<a href="https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/">https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/</a>.'
  short: U. Ibrahimli, S. Hemmrich, A. Winkelmann, Communication of the Association
    for Information Systems (2026).
date_created: 2026-04-02T04:19:09Z
date_updated: 2026-04-02T04:32:05Z
department:
- _id: '195'
doi: https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/
extern: '1'
external_id:
  unknown:
  - https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/37/
jel:
- D83
- L14
- D83
- O33
- C63
- P
keyword:
- Information Systems Research
- Systems Theory
- System Complexity
- System Design
- Design Science
language:
- iso: eng
publication: Communication of the Association for Information Systems
publication_identifier:
  unknown:
  - 1529-3181
publication_status: published
publisher: AIS
quality_controlled: '1'
status: public
title: 'Bridging Systems Theory and Information Systems: A Framework for Designing
  Complex Information Systems'
type: journal_article
user_id: '83557'
year: '2026'
...
---
_id: '37497'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: Since historical times, cartographic maps have revealed spatial relations
    and enabled decisions and processes. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow
    for acquisition, management, analysis, and presentation of geospatial objects.
    With free geospatial data becoming available through open data policies and an
    increasing amount of digitally connected objects in the Internet of Things (IoT),
    GIS are becoming indispensable to Information Systems (IS) research. However,
    the consideration and relevance of GIS has only been investigated rarely. We examine,
    how and in which fields of application GIS have been studied in the IS literature
    and elicit the importance of GIS regarding their design and usage. A systematic
    literature review leads us to develop four research propositions. Our results
    indicate that GIS are still an undeservedly underrepresented discipline in IS
    and should be more theorized, put center-stage in design-oriented research, and
    considered for creating superior value co-creation in service systems.
author:
- first_name: Jennifer
  full_name: Priefer, Jennifer
  id: '82872'
  last_name: Priefer
citation:
  ama: 'Priefer J. Geographic Information Systems in Information Systems Research
    - Review and Research Prospects. In: Bui TX, Sprague RH, eds. <i>Proceedings of
    the 56th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences</i>. ; 2023.'
  apa: Priefer, J. (2023). Geographic Information Systems in Information Systems Research
    - Review and Research Prospects. In T. X. Bui &#38; R. H. Sprague (Eds.), <i>Proceedings
    of the 56th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences</i>.
  bibtex: '@inproceedings{Priefer_2023, title={Geographic Information Systems in Information
    Systems Research - Review and Research Prospects}, booktitle={Proceedings of the
    56th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences}, author={Priefer, Jennifer},
    editor={Bui, T.X. and Sprague, R.H.}, year={2023} }'
  chicago: Priefer, Jennifer. “Geographic Information Systems in Information Systems
    Research - Review and Research Prospects.” In <i>Proceedings of the 56th Hawaii
    International Conference on System Sciences</i>, edited by T.X. Bui and R.H. Sprague,
    2023.
  ieee: J. Priefer, “Geographic Information Systems in Information Systems Research
    - Review and Research Prospects,” in <i>Proceedings of the 56th Hawaii International
    Conference on System Sciences</i>, 2023.
  mla: Priefer, Jennifer. “Geographic Information Systems in Information Systems Research
    - Review and Research Prospects.” <i>Proceedings of the 56th Hawaii International
    Conference on System Sciences</i>, edited by T.X. Bui and R.H. Sprague, 2023.
  short: 'J. Priefer, in: T.X. Bui, R.H. Sprague (Eds.), Proceedings of the 56th Hawaii
    International Conference on System Sciences, 2023.'
conference:
  name: 56th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
date_created: 2023-01-19T06:32:14Z
date_updated: 2023-01-19T06:32:30Z
editor:
- first_name: T.X.
  full_name: Bui, T.X.
  last_name: Bui
- first_name: R.H.
  full_name: Sprague, R.H.
  last_name: Sprague
keyword:
- GIS
- Industry 4.0
- and Sustainability
- geographic information systems
- geospatial data
- gis
- information systems research
- literature review
language:
- iso: eng
main_file_link:
- url: https://hdl.handle.net/10125/103252
publication: Proceedings of the 56th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
status: public
title: Geographic Information Systems in Information Systems Research - Review and
  Research Prospects
type: conference
user_id: '82872'
year: '2023'
...
---
_id: '11946'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: "Literature reviews (LRs) play an important role in the development of domain
    knowledge in all fields. Yet, we observe a\r\nlack of insights into the activities
    with which LRs actually develop knowledge. To address this important gap, we (1)\r\nderive
    knowledge building activities from the extant literature on LRs, (2) suggest a
    knowledge-based typology of LRs\r\nthat complements existing typologies, and (3)
    apply the suggested typology in an empirical study that explores how LRs\r\nwith
    different goals and methodologies have contributed to knowledge development. The
    analysis of 240 LRs published\r\nin 40 renowned IS journals between 2000 and 2014
    allows us to draw a detailed picture of knowledge development\r\nachieved by one
    of the most important genres in the IS field. An overarching contribution of our
    work is to unify extant\r\nconceptualizations of LRs by clarifying and illustrating
    how LRs apply different methodologies in a range of knowledge\r\nbuilding activities
    to achieve their goals with respect to theory."
author:
- first_name: Guido
  full_name: Schryen, Guido
  id: '72850'
  last_name: Schryen
- first_name: Gerit
  full_name: Wagner, Gerit
  last_name: Wagner
- first_name: Alexander
  full_name: Benlian, Alexander
  last_name: Benlian
- first_name: Guy
  full_name: Paré, Guy
  last_name: Paré
citation:
  ama: 'Schryen G, Wagner G, Benlian A, Paré G. A Knowledge Development Perspective
    on Literature Reviews: Validation of a New Typology in the IS Field. <i>Communications
    of the AIS</i>. 2020;46:134-186. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04607">10.17705/1CAIS.04607</a>'
  apa: 'Schryen, G., Wagner, G., Benlian, A., &#38; Paré, G. (2020). A Knowledge Development
    Perspective on Literature Reviews: Validation of a New Typology in the IS Field.
    <i>Communications of the AIS</i>, <i>46</i>, 134–186. <a href="https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04607">https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04607</a>'
  bibtex: '@article{Schryen_Wagner_Benlian_Paré_2020, title={A Knowledge Development
    Perspective on Literature Reviews: Validation of a New Typology in the IS Field},
    volume={46}, DOI={<a href="https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04607">10.17705/1CAIS.04607</a>},
    journal={Communications of the AIS}, author={Schryen, Guido and Wagner, Gerit
    and Benlian, Alexander and Paré, Guy}, year={2020}, pages={134–186} }'
  chicago: 'Schryen, Guido, Gerit Wagner, Alexander Benlian, and Guy Paré. “A Knowledge
    Development Perspective on Literature Reviews: Validation of a New Typology in
    the IS Field.” <i>Communications of the AIS</i> 46 (2020): 134–86. <a href="https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04607">https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04607</a>.'
  ieee: 'G. Schryen, G. Wagner, A. Benlian, and G. Paré, “A Knowledge Development
    Perspective on Literature Reviews: Validation of a New Typology in the IS Field,”
    <i>Communications of the AIS</i>, vol. 46, pp. 134–186, 2020, doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04607">10.17705/1CAIS.04607</a>.'
  mla: 'Schryen, Guido, et al. “A Knowledge Development Perspective on Literature
    Reviews: Validation of a New Typology in the IS Field.” <i>Communications of the
    AIS</i>, vol. 46, 2020, pp. 134–86, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04607">10.17705/1CAIS.04607</a>.'
  short: G. Schryen, G. Wagner, A. Benlian, G. Paré, Communications of the AIS 46
    (2020) 134–186.
date_created: 2019-07-12T12:01:02Z
date_updated: 2022-06-10T06:38:58Z
ddc:
- '000'
department:
- _id: '277'
doi: 10.17705/1CAIS.04607
file:
- access_level: open_access
  content_type: application/pdf
  creator: schryen
  date_created: 2020-02-26T18:12:29Z
  date_updated: 2020-03-05T10:36:15Z
  file_id: '16115'
  file_name: RA-18-198.pdf
  file_size: 1146830
  relation: main_file
file_date_updated: 2020-03-05T10:36:15Z
has_accepted_license: '1'
intvolume: '        46'
keyword:
- Literature review
- knowledge development
- knowledge building activities
- knowledge-based typology
- information systems research
language:
- iso: eng
oa: '1'
page: 134-186
publication: Communications of the AIS
publication_identifier:
  issn:
  - ' 1529-3181'
status: public
title: 'A Knowledge Development Perspective on Literature Reviews: Validation of a
  New Typology in the IS Field'
type: journal_article
user_id: '72850'
volume: 46
year: '2020'
...
---
_id: '4689'
author:
- first_name: Oliver
  full_name: Müller, Oliver
  id: '72849'
  last_name: Müller
- first_name: Iris
  full_name: Junglas, Iris
  last_name: Junglas
- first_name: Jan
  full_name: vom Brocke, Jan
  last_name: vom Brocke
- first_name: Stefan
  full_name: Debortoli, Stefan
  last_name: Debortoli
citation:
  ama: 'Müller O, Junglas I, vom Brocke J, Debortoli S. Utilizing big data analytics
    for information systems research: Challenges, promises and guidelines. <i>European
    Journal of Information Systems</i>. 2016;(4):289--302. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2016.2">10.1057/ejis.2016.2</a>'
  apa: 'Müller, O., Junglas, I., vom Brocke, J., &#38; Debortoli, S. (2016). Utilizing
    big data analytics for information systems research: Challenges, promises and
    guidelines. <i>European Journal of Information Systems</i>, (4), 289--302. <a
    href="https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2016.2">https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2016.2</a>'
  bibtex: '@article{Müller_Junglas_vom Brocke_Debortoli_2016, title={Utilizing big
    data analytics for information systems research: Challenges, promises and guidelines},
    DOI={<a href="https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2016.2">10.1057/ejis.2016.2</a>}, number={4},
    journal={European Journal of Information Systems}, author={Müller, Oliver and
    Junglas, Iris and vom Brocke, Jan and Debortoli, Stefan}, year={2016}, pages={289--302}
    }'
  chicago: 'Müller, Oliver, Iris Junglas, Jan vom Brocke, and Stefan Debortoli. “Utilizing
    Big Data Analytics for Information Systems Research: Challenges, Promises and
    Guidelines.” <i>European Journal of Information Systems</i>, no. 4 (2016): 289--302.
    <a href="https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2016.2">https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2016.2</a>.'
  ieee: 'O. Müller, I. Junglas, J. vom Brocke, and S. Debortoli, “Utilizing big data
    analytics for information systems research: Challenges, promises and guidelines,”
    <i>European Journal of Information Systems</i>, no. 4, pp. 289--302, 2016.'
  mla: 'Müller, Oliver, et al. “Utilizing Big Data Analytics for Information Systems
    Research: Challenges, Promises and Guidelines.” <i>European Journal of Information
    Systems</i>, no. 4, 2016, pp. 289--302, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2016.2">10.1057/ejis.2016.2</a>.'
  short: O. Müller, I. Junglas, J. vom Brocke, S. Debortoli, European Journal of Information
    Systems (2016) 289--302.
date_created: 2018-10-12T08:29:46Z
date_updated: 2022-01-06T07:01:18Z
doi: 10.1057/ejis.2016.2
extern: '1'
issue: '4'
keyword:
- analytics
- big data
- data source
- information systems research
- methodology
language:
- iso: eng
page: 289--302
publication: European Journal of Information Systems
publication_identifier:
  isbn:
  - 0960-085X
  issn:
  - '14769344'
status: public
title: 'Utilizing big data analytics for information systems research: Challenges,
  promises and guidelines'
type: journal_article
user_id: '72849'
year: '2016'
...