Ph.D.

Seminar in Information Systems

Spring 2006
Dr. Nirup Menon

The seminar will cover empirical research methods in information systems. The seven
papers cover a sampling of empirical research methods in IS. We will discuss one paper
each week. One student will be assigned as the lead discussant and presenter for the paper
for each week. This student will be responsible for presenting the paper to the class and
leading the discussion during and following the presentation. The presentation should be
detailed in all aspects of the paper.

Each student should submit a two-page, double-spaced summary of each paper. The
summary should discuss the problem addressed by the paper, the empirical model and
data collection, and the key results. List at least one limitation and one extension that do
not appear in the paper. For the extension, think in terms of additional data collection and
model enhancement.

Each student is also responsible for submitting a term paper at the end of the semester.
The term paper should address a potential research problem. It is not expected that the
term paper should be of publishable quality. However, sufficient effort should be put into
the idea, background literature survey, research design, and a proposal for empirical
validation, so that the idea can be analyzed further to develop a publishable paper.
Students are urged to talk to faculty members about possible topics and relevant research.

Readings/Student Presentations

01/08/2006
Daft, R.L., “Why I recommended that Your Manuscript be Rejected and What You can
Do about It,” Publishing in the Organizational Sciences, Cummings and Frost (Eds.),
Irwin, 1985.

Introduction to Research Methods in IS.

A Sample Econometric Paper:

Menon et al “Productivity of Information Technology in Healthcare Systems.”
Information Systems Research, March 2000.

Starting 01/22/06
1. Measuring Switching Costs and the Determinants of Customer Retention in
Internet-Enabled Businesses: A Study of the Online Brokerage Industry
Pei-Yu (Sharon) Chen • Lorin M. Hitt
Information Systems Research
Vol. 13, No. 3, September 2002, pp. 255–274

1
2. Impacts of License Choice and Organizational Sponsorship on User Interest and
Development Activity in Open Source Software Projects
Katherine J. Stewart, Anthony P. Ammeter, Likoebe M. Maruping
Information Systems Research
Vol. 17, No. 2, June 2006, pp. 126–144.

3. ERP Investments and the Market Value of Firms: Toward an Understanding of

Influential ERP Project Variables
C. Ranganathan, Carol V. Brown
Information Systems Research
Vol. 17, No. 2, June 2006, pp. 145–161.

4. Effect of Information Systems Resources and Capabilities on Firm Performance:

A Resource-Based Perspective
T. Ravichandran and Chalermsak Lertwongsatien
Journal of Management Information Systems / Spring 2005, Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 237-276.

5. The Nature and Role of Feedback Text Comments in Online Marketplaces:

Implications for Trust Building, Price Premiums, and Seller Differentiation
Paul A. Pavlou, Angelika Dimoka
Information Systems Research
Vol. 17, No. 4, December 2006, pp. 392–414.

6. The Effectiveness of Knowledge Transfer Portfolios in Software Process

Improvement: A Field Study
Sandra A. Slaughter, Laurie J. Kirsch
Information Systems Research
Vol. 17, No. 3, September 2006, pp. 301–320.

7. A Partial Least Squares Latent Variable Modeling Approach for Measuring

Interaction Effects: Results from a Monte Carlo Simulation Study and an
Electronic-Mail Emotion/Adoption Study
Wynne W. Chin • Barbara L. Marcolin • Peter R. Newsted
Information Systems Research
Vol. 14, No. 2, June 2003, pp. 189–217

Readings for the remainder of the course will be provided later.