Abstract
This paper problematizes underlying assumptions in Design Science Research – and Information Systems Research more broadly by conceptualizing the „solution trap“. The solution trap is caused by the incompatibility of co-existing solutions in complex socio-technical contexts. Information systems bring diverse cultures and theories together, causing tensions in the different institutional logics. We emphasize the need for a nuanced understanding of context unevenness and propose solution patchwork as a coordination approach to evade the solution trap. Substantiating the preliminary insights and propositions with a literature review and further empirical grounding will transition this research-in-progress to a full paper.
Staehelin, Dario