Erfahrung, Erkenntnis und Wirklichkeitsgestaltung Anmerkungen zur Rolle der Empirie in der Wirtschaftsinformatik

With its conception as an application oriented discipline Wirtschaftsinformatik has to be concerned about methodologies that foster an appropriate understanding of its application domain. Analysing the assumptions and outcomes of behavioristic research shows that it is hardly sufficient on its own. Scientific methodologies that have been adapted to the constraints of the social sciences or hermeneutic approaches promise to compensate for some of those shortcomings. However, they have their shortcomings as well. For this reason a pluralistic methodology is recommended. In order to integrate the results that have been accomplished using different methodologies it is required to establish forums that promote communication. It is argued that enterprise models that represent and integrate various perspectives both of business professionals and researchers could serve as such forums. At the same time they would be a repository to gather and organize shared knowledge.