The Information Systems Academic Discipline in Australian Universities: A Meta-Analysis

The meta-analysis chapter integrates and interprets data from earlier chapters in this monograph, drawing on the theoretical framework developed for the study. Mixed results were seen in the development of mechanisms of control and a core body of knowledge when analysis was made of information systems (IS) in Australian universities in the most recent years. The limitations on progress were related mainly to reduced IS enrolments and the associated decline in staff numbers and the autonomy of IS groups, along with the restructuring and relocation of many IS groups within universities. It appears, however, that the introduction of the Research Quality Framework (RQF) was intended to increase the quantity and quality of Australian IS research publications. While great diversity was reported regarding some components of the body of knowledge, the existence of key IS research topics was demonstrated from a national analysis, which was not evident from analysis at a local level. Little IS theory was reported, but recognition was given to the kind of theory that was appropriate for IS. When the development of Australian IS is considered over a longer period, significant progress has been made in some mechanisms of control, including steady growth in professorial appointments. Although local contingencies were found to have had an impact on the degree of professionalism, the study was not able to confirm that these two components of the framework-responsiveness to local contingencies and degree of professionalism-were inversely related. Information systems in Australia is not likely to be unique in its development relative to other parts of the world. The study concluded that, based on IS in Australian universities, IS might be regarded as a field rather than as a discipline.