The Australasian Journal of Information Systems (AJIS) began in 1993 and was based on the simple realisation that there was a need for an academic ‘outlet’ for IS research in Australia Australasian Journal of Information Systems Volume 14 Number 1 June 2007 3 AJIS EDITORIAL AJIS publishes high quality contributions to theory and practice in the global Information Systems discipline. While research is global, AJIS contributions should have an emphasis on the Australasian context of the work. The journal welcomes papers on research and conceptual development based in a very wide range of inquiry methods, ways of thinking and modes of expression. In this edition the AJIS Featured Theme examines the ranking of academic journals, including this one. The debate on journal ranking has been sparked by the Australian Government's push to change the way research is funded by its introduction of a Research Quality Framework. The topic is current in the socio-political aspect of the discipline, although it is on the periphery of the Information Systems knowledge domain. The debate, however, opens up the bigger issue of the role of information systems in knowledge creation and mobilisation (e-Research). And that is a core topic in our field. Scholarly publishing is a subsystem in that activity and the editors of AJIS have a continuing interest in the potential for information systems in e-Research. The obvious first step was to put AJIS online (just google AJIS). It is now a fully open-access journal with web-based workflow management for article submission and tracking. The Australian Computer Society is managing the hosting of AJIS through its digital library initiative with the Public Knowledge Project at Simon Frazer University and the University of British Columbia. Tom Worthington deserves our thanks for setting up the initiative as does Steve Elliot for his support in the ACS. All back issues have now been loaded into the system. This was a large task supported by the University of Canberra - thanks to Marina Materne. The journal being online improves access to articles and more work is being done now to improve indexing. Of course, the more AJIS is used the better. Next we are looking into a range of e- Research ideas that can enhance scholarly work. In particular we are exploring the possibilities of: - public reviewing of offered articles (like the British Medical Journal) and discussion forums associated with articles; - curation of data (in concert with other repository projects) and research instruments that support articles but that are rarely published; - an IS concept management system (perhaps a wiki) to facilitate ongoing development, and coherent usage, of IS concepts; - 'living' articles; - explicitly positioning AJIS with other journals (eg, those that address specific fields, approaches or aspects of the IS domain). In short, we aim to address the journal from a knowledge management perspective. Australasian Journal of Information Systems Volume 14 Number 1 June 2007 4 Future Featured Themes include Enterprise Architecture, Systems Governance, Design Science and highlights from the 2007 Australasian Conference on Information Systems. Please approach the editor with additional suggestions. My thanks to the co-editor, John Campbell, and the paper authors. Thanks too to the School of Information Sciences and Engineering, University of Canberra, for its significant ongoing support. Craig McDonald Associate Professor of Information Systems University of Canberra, ACT, AUSTRALIA Email: craig.mcdonald@canberra.edu.au June 2007 EDITORIAL BOARD Thomson Scientific (ISI) impact factor. Using existing ranking lists Polling Eminent Scholars Stage one: identification of existing rankings Stage two: initial ranking list drawn up Stage three: feedback on the initial ranking list Stage four: information and finalisation of ranking list Level A Journals Level B Journals Premier Professional Journals ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION The pending Australian research quality framework (RQF) METHODOLOGY Sourcing and procuring the data Examining the data for correctness RESULTS RQ1 What journal outlets are used by Australian academics to publish IS-related research? RQ2 Which journals have been most preferred by Australian academics for article publication as measured by the total number of articles published in each journal? CONCLUSION Limitations and Future Research Socio-pragmatic constructionism Social constructionism Pragmatism Socio-pragmatic constructionism Representation Simplification Pragmatic orientation Syntax Semantics Pragmatics Implications for Practice Implications for Theory Passive Dimension (Perceptions); Active Dimension (Conceptions) The aesthetic dimension is not characterized as “plug and play”. The aesthetic dimension is not described by graphical user interfaces. Aesthetics occurs when the system elevates the work to a new level of effective vision. Aesthetics may occur on different levels or from different perspectives. 1. Rational Goal Seeking (Intelligence(Design(Choice) 2. Happenstance Rationalization (Design(Choice(Intelligence) 3. Existential Introversion (Choice(Intelligence(Design) 4. Deferred Design (Intelligence(Choice(Design) 5. Situational Sensemaking (Design(Intelligence(Choice) 6. Existential Heroism (Choice(Design(Intelligence) Constructs Output Performance Outsourcing experience Contract Establishment The Feedback Effect Business Strategy IT Strategy Firm-wide active involvement Long term focus Meeting of the minds Clarity and consistency Management skill and capability Alignment facilitation processes Organisational structure Organisational culture Communication IT as an organisational tool Organisation Background Information Factors That Promote Alignment People Factors Process Factors Organisational Factors High Level Factor Comparisons Alignment of business & information technology strategy - A cross industry Australian study Part 1: Background Part 2: Business Strategy Part 3: Information Technology Strategy Part 4: Factors that promote the alignment between business and information technology strategy Documentation Interviews Researcher Bias