Skip to main content

Knowledge Types and Forms

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
An Introduction to Design Science
  • 2273 Accesses

Abstract

Knowledge can be used for different purposes and can exist in different forms. This chapter introduces a classification of knowledge types based on their different purposes and identifies definitional, descriptive, explanatory, predictive, explanatory and predictive, and prescriptive knowledge. A number of knowledge forms are also discussed, based on the form in which the knowledge is materialised: explicit, embodied, and embedded knowledge. Based on these knowledge types and knowledge forms, four types of artefacts are identified: constructs, models, methods, and instantiations. The role of theories in design science is discussed, and the notions of design principles and design theory are introduced.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alexander C et al (1997) A pattern language: towns, buildings, construction. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Argote L (2012) Organizational learning: creating, retaining and transfer ring knowledge, 2nd edn. 2013 edition.Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett JG (2018) The dramatic universe: volume 1: the foundations of natural philosophy (The collected works of J.G. Bennett), vol. 4, 3rd edn. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, Scotts Valley

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackler F (1995) Knowledge, knowledge work and organizations: an overview and interpretation. Org Stud (16)(6):1021–1046

    Google Scholar 

  • Boehm BW (1981) Software engineering economics. 1st edn. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolstorff P, Rosenbaum R (2007) Supply chain excellence: a hand-book for dramatic improvement using the SCOR model: 4, 2nd edn. AMACOM, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland P, Scholes J (1990) Soft systems methodology in practice. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Codd EF (1970) A relational model of data for large shared data banks. Commun ACM 13(6):377–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohn M (2009) Succeeding with agile: software development using scrum, 1st edn. Addison-Wesley, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Curley M, Kenneally J, Ashurst C (2013) Design science and design patterns: a rationale for the application of design-patterns within design science research to accelerate knowledge discovery and innovation adoption. In: Helfert M, Donnellan B (eds) Design science: perspectives from Europe. Communications in computer and information science. Springer, Berlin, pp 29–37

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Day JD, Zimmermann H (1983) The OSI reference model. Proc IEEE 71(12), 1334–1340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delone WH, McLean ER (2003) The DeLone and McLean model of information systems success: a ten-year update. J Manag Inf Syst 19(4):9–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenhardt, KM, Agency theory: an assessment and review. Acad Manage Rev 14(1), 57–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Encyclopaedia Britannica (2014) medicine. http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/372431/medicine. Accessed July 3 2014

  • Gregor S (2006) The nature of theory in information systems. MIS Quarterly 30(3), 611–642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregor S, Jones D (2007) The anatomy of a design science theory. J Assoc Inf Syst 8(5), 312–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Hevner AR et al (2004) Design science in information systems research. MIS Quarterly 28(1), 75–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iivari J (2007) A paradigmatic analysis of information systems as a design science. Scand J Inf Syst 19(2):39–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Kroll P, Kruchten P (2003) The rational unified process made easy: a practitioner’s guide to the RUP. Addison-Wesley, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam A (2000) Tacit knowledge, organizational learning and societal institutions: an integrated framework. Organ Stud 21(3):487–513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madhavan R, Grover R (1998) From embedded knowledge to embodied knowledge: new product development as knowledge management. J Mark 62(4):1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • March ST, Smith GF (1995) Design and natural science research on information technology. Decis Supp Syst 15(4):251–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norman D (2013) The design of everyday things: revised and expanded edition, 2nd edn. Basic Books, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Offermann P et al (2010) Artifact types in information systems design science – a literature review. In: Winter R, Zhao JL, Aier S Global perspectives on design science research. Lecture notes in computer science. Springer, Berlin, pp 77–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Seely Brown J, Duguid P (2006) Balancing act: how to capture knowledge without killing it. In: Prusak L, Matson E (eds) Knowledge management and organizational learning: a reader. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Sein M et al (2011) Action design research. Manage Inf Syst Quart 35(1), 37–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh V, Davis FD (2000) A theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model: four longitudinal field studies. Manage Sci 46(2):186–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wikipedia Contributor (2014) Knowledge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge. Accessed June 26 2014

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Johannesson, P., Perjons, E. (2021). Knowledge Types and Forms. In: An Introduction to Design Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78132-3_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78132-3_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-78131-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-78132-3

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics