The Information Systems Discipline in Australian Universities: A Contextual Framework

Abstract

This paper presents the contextual framework for a multi-method, multi-study of the State of the Information Systems Academic Discipline in Australia, and relates the genesis of the Australian study as preliminary to a larger Pacific-Asia study. Analysis of prior literature on the state of IS and on relevant theory, underpins a series of individual Australian state case studies that are combined with several conceptual analyses and a research issues survey. The paper outlines the methodological approach employed, with emphasis on the case study method of the multiple state studies. The process of multiple peer review of the studies is described. Importantly, this paper summarises and analyses each of the related sub-studies, also outlining ongoing work, beyond the overarching study reported herein.