Editorial policy

Systems, Signs & Actions is an information systems journal with special emphasis on action, communication and workpractice issues. This means that information systems (IS) are seen as embodiments of action, communication and practice. It also means that the human and social context of information systems is seen through such pragmatic lenses.

Some examples of this communication orientation can be mentioned (without excluding others) - we welcome studies of

• The informative and communicative roles and purposes of information systems
• The conceptual-linguistic structure of IS and its relation to its practice context
• The study of user-interfaces as communication media
• Databases as organisational memories used in communication processes
• Design methods and IS modelling as instruments for communication

Some examples of this action and practice orientation can be mentioned (without excluding others) - we welcome studies of

• What people do while using IS
• What information systems/IT artefacts do while people are using them
• The interaction between IS and users as a practice
• The IS context as a practice
• How the functions and structure of workpractices govern and influence the design of IS
• How the design of IS is conducted as recurrent and temporary practices
• The use of IS design methods and modelling as practices

Systems, Signs & Actions emphasises combined empirical and theoretical research. We welcome research that builds on action theories, communication theories or practice theories and that studies the design and use of IS in open-minded and theory-informed ways. The journal aims at combined theoretical and empirical developments. Theoretical/conceptual papers should contain some practical or empirical illustrations. Papers with emphasis on empirical research must contain theoretical arguments.

Information systems are complex phenomena of social, organisational, semiotic and technical character. The journal welcomes research that acknowledges this complexity with the aim of contributing to clarification, deeper understanding and establishing a basis for improved action. We encourage research that is both relevant and useful for practice and conceptually well founded.

The journal is open in relation to different research methods, but sees especially qualitative research as a way to deal with the aforementioned complexity. Interpretive and pragmatic methods are seen as important means for contributing with new innovative knowledge of IS design and use. Systems, Signs & Actions wants to contribute to the furthering of practice-based research methods. We welcome especially articles that use and improve research approaches like

• Practice research
• Evaluation research
• Interpretive case studies
• Design research
• Action research and other intervention studies

Systems, Signs & Actions is defined as a development and communication arena. The journal intends to be a high quality forum for knowledge exchange within its defined scope. This is pursued through reviewing and publishing papers. The editorial board will be supportive in their assessment of papers. The journal encourages cumulative growth of knowledge and scientific dialogues. This can be done in several ways and some examples are given here:

• We encourage persons submitting papers to explicitly relate their work to papers earlier published in the journal or in other related forums.
• The editors may invite papers in a particular area building on some earlier publications.
• Shorter commentary papers are welcome, which comment on a paper earlier published in the journal.

 The journal accepts different kinds of contributions:

• short position statements
• commentary papers (commenting on other papers in the journal)
• normal journal papers (15-20 pages)
• longer contributions (30-40 pages)