On the Conceptualization of Information Systems as Socio-Technical Phenomena in Simulation-Based Research

Information Systems (IS) are specified as complex socio-technical systems that display dynamic and emergent behaviors. Simulation-based studies provide a useful tool for analyzing such systems; however, the current presence and impact of simulation-based IS studies is limited. The socio-technical interactions and inherent dynamics of information systems make the development of IS simulations attractive, but challenging. Building simulations in this context requires both accurate conceptualizations of the underlying socio-technical systems as well as a sound transfer of these conceptualizations into simulation models. This study proposes an analysis framework that conjointly captures both the socio-technical system models as well as the derived simulation models. This allows for a critical assessment of the status quo of the extant simulation-based IS research. The identified relations are analyzed and seven propositions are derived, which provide guidance for prospective simulation-based research.