Generative AI systems are increasingly used for cognitively demanding tasks, yet little is known about how psychological factors shape user prompting behavior. This study investigates the role of individual satisficing tendencies in maximizing behavior when selecting prompt strategies across different task domains. In an online vignette experiment with 132 participants, individuals selected between satisficing and maximizing prompt options in five problem-solving scenarios. Satisficing tendencies were assessed using the Short Maximization Inventory, with algorithm aversion and prompt-writing competence included as controls. Linear mixed models showed that stronger satisficing tendencies were associated with reduced maximizing behavior, while higher self-reported competence predicted more maximizing. Participants maximized more in job-related and creative tasks, but satisficed more in writing and technical support tasks, suggesting that task characteristics shape prompting strategies. The results demonstrate that individual differences systematically affect interactions with generative AI. This highlights the importance of considering psychological dispositions in future research on human–AI collaboration.

IT governance has the potential to perpetuate power imbalances in international organisations. Important IT decisions are frequently made in the headquarters and then propagated through the rest of the organisation. This pattern can indicate a well-organised centralised IT governance focusing on security and efficiency. The same pattern, however, cannot only impede innovation and flexibility but also has the potential to continue colonial decision structures, especially as headquarters are often in the global north. Through 27 interviews with NGO representatives–a sector that should be highly motivated to counter postcolonial tendencies–we examine IT governance structures. We observe indications of a mismatch between organisational goals and IT governance structures that can only be explained when considering postcolonialism. We need to combine explanation approaches from IT governance and postcolonial theory to explain the observed phenomenon fully. Moreover, we critically comment on IT-related decision-making structures and call for more effort in research and practice to decolonise IT and IT governance.

Today, millions worldwide play popular location-based games (LBGs) such as Pokémon GO. LBGs are designed to be played outdoors, and past research has shown that they can incentivize players to travel to nature. To further explore this nature-connection, we investigated via a mixed-methods approach the connections between engagement with LBGs, inspiration and environmental awareness as follows. First, we identified relevant gamification features in Study 1. Based on the insights, we built a survey that we sent to Pokémon GO players (N=311) in Study 2. The results showed that (a) social networking features, reminders, and virtual objects were the most relevant gamification features to explain inspired by playing Pokémon GO and that (b) inspired to outdoor engagement partially mediated the relationship between inspired by playing Pokémon GO and environmental awareness. These results warrant further investigations into whether LBGs could motivate pro-environment attitudes and inspire people to care for nature.

Today, millions of people worldwide play popular multiplayer online battle arena games (MOBAs) such as League of Legends. MOBAs are designed to require real-time teamwork to win games. A side effect of this is toxic behavior (an umbrella term for various negative in-game behaviors). Following Transactional Stress Theory, in this study, we consider toxicity as a coping mechanism to better deal with in-game stress that leads to anger and frustration, potentially leading to subsequent sleep problems. Therefore, we asked League of Legends players (N=212) about their experiences within the last 30 days in a retrospective survey study. Our results indicated that perceived stress was, indeed, a positive predictor of sleeping problems, and toxic behavior partially mediated this relationship. These results indicate that some of the toxicity is caused by stress in play and that it may increase the likelihood of the occurrence of subsequent sleeping problems. Therefore, further efforts are needed to help players to develop harmonious means and techniques for coping with experienced in-game stress.

Toxic behavior remains a salient challenge for online gaming environments, such as multiplayer online battle arena video games (MOBAs). In this study, we sought to understand player roles and settings in which toxicity occurs using a mixed-methods approach. First, we conducted ethnographic observations and interviews with players of the most popular contemporary MOBA, League of Legends (Study 1). During the qualitative analysis three main themes emerged: (1) the fluidity of roles, (2) the subjectivity of the toxic experience, and (3) cascading effects and changing modalities of toxicity. Based on the themes, we formulated hypotheses regarding players’ experience with toxicity. To test these hypotheses, we gathered cross-sectional data from MOBA players (n = 216), which we analyzed with co-variance-based statistics (Study 2). Our quantitative findings showcase the complexity of toxicity as well as players’ ambivalence toward the topic. We found indicators of substantial influences of personality and a cycle of retaliation toxicity spread as victims retaliated against the perpetrator.

Emotion recognition is a increasingly popular topic because of its potential applications in the field of affective learning. It allows the development of systems able to adapt themselves to the users' emotional state to improve the learner's experience and learning. In this paper, we introduce a new biomedical multi-sensor platform for realtime acquisition of physiological data comprising Temperature, Electroencephalography (EEG), Electroocculography (EOG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Heart Rate and Blood Oxygen Saturation. We describe experimental scenarios for the induction of emotions relevant in a context of affective learning (happiness, frustration, boredom) to build a set of emotionrelated data. We carry out a basic classification study by computing hand-crafted features on the time and frequency domains of signals, and training a Support-Vector-Machine (SVM) classifier to demonstrate the feasibility of our approach.

We propose the definition of genres in IS design science research (DSR). In recent years DSR has become a well-accepted research paradigm within IS; however, now the diversity of purpose, methodology, and mental models has increased to a point where reviewers and editors are unsure about which standards to apply to particular research submissions. For some researchers an artefact of value is a system or system component, while for others artefacts ought to be theories or theory components. Such differences are hard to reconcile and researchers often face criticism from diverse corners of the paradigm, where beliefs and standards are very different. We observed this diversity of views among authors, editors, and reviewers while editing this special issue. The problem continues to the current day. A solution may lie in defining genres of IS DSR, each with its model for DSR processes and outcomes. We define five prototype genres, based on selected articles, along with their typical characteristics, standards, and values. Several articles in this special issue typify various potential genres. The recognition of mutually respectful DSR genres may improve researchers' ability to publish in the highest tier IS journals, as colleagues, reviewers, and editors recognize and respect genre differences.

Both Information Technology (IT) artifacts and design theories are important elements for knowledge capture in design science research in information systems. Building on a rich tradition of constructing and evaluating artifacts, recent design science research has made significant advances toward better understanding the explanatory aspect of design theory. Researchers have stressed the importance of mid-range theories that relate IT artifact features (causes) with measures and goals (effects). Against this background, design theorizing reveals certain commonalities with theorizing in the behavioral science field. In this paper, we explore differences and similarities between theorizing in these areas. We develop a framework that allows for a better understanding of the relationships between manifest design decisions, kernel theory constructs and their evaluation metrics. We identify common issues that arise from conceptual distances between these ideas and show their potential impact on both the design and evaluation of artifacts. The field of electronic feedback systems is used as an illustrative example.

Information technology (IT) allows members of the growing elderly population to remain independent longer. However, while technology becomes more and more pervasive, an age-related underutilisation of IT remains observable. For instance, elderly people (65 years of age and older) are significantly less likely to use the Internet than the average population (see, for instance, European Commission, 2011). This age-related digital divide prevents many elderly people from using IT to enhance their quality of life through tools, such as Internet-based service delivery. Despite the significance of this phenomenon, the information systems (IS) literature lacks a comprehensive consideration and explanation of technology acceptance in general and more specifically, Internet adoption by the elderly. This paper thus studies the intentions of the elderly with regard to Internet use and identifies important influencing factors. Four alternative models based on technology acceptance theory are tested in the context of comprehensive survey data. As a result, a model that explains as much as 84% of the variance in technology adoption among the elderly is developed. We discuss the contribution of our analyses to the research on Internet adoption (and IT adoption in general) by the elderly, on the digital divide, and on technology acceptance and identify potentially effective paths for future research and theoretical development.

In this issue, EJIS is publishing ‘Memorandum on Design Oriented Information Systems Research’, an opinion that has engendered much debate in the German-speaking Information Systems (IS) community....