Research not only needs to answer research questions but also explain its contribution to the targeted scientific field. This was conveyed by Prof. Dr. Ir. H.W.G.M. (Eric) van Heck from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, during the Academia Sharing session #4 at the School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), on Friday (July 17th).
Themed “How to Develop Your Business and Management Science Research and Your Research Identity for Impact? The Case of Information Systems Research,” this activity discussed how researchers can develop research that has a clear academic contribution while simultaneously building an impactful research identity. The activity was attended by academics seeking to deepen their understanding of theory development, research positioning, methodology, empirical evidence, and strategies for building a research identity.
According to van Heck, to ensure a clear contribution to the scientific field, researchers need clarity about the position of the research they are developing. The professor, commonly known as Eric, then introduced the HTREC Method, a framework consisting of Hook, Theory, Research Method, Evidence, and Community. This framework helps researchers see how to develop and position research more strategically.
According to van Heck, researchers must have a clear understanding of their research’s position within the scientific field to make a meaningful contribution. The professor, commonly referred to as Eric, introduced the HTREC Method. This framework, consisting of five components: Hook, Theory, Research Method, Evidence, and Community, guides researchers in strategically developing and positioning their work.
Eric also explained the importance of building a research identity. A researcher’s identity is determined not only by the topic being researched, but also by the motivation, theoretical perspective, methodology, collaboration, and contributions consistently developed throughout the academic journey.
Eric outlined how research identity is formed through several fundamental questions: what motivates a researcher? What topic provides energy and purpose? What focus do they want to develop, and what theoretical perspectives do they use? What methodology can strengthen the research? With whom is the research being developed? And what contribution and impact do they want to generate?
These questions reflect the six main elements in developing a research identity: Motivation, Research Focus, Theoretical Perspective, Methodology, Collaborators, and Contribution.
Eric explained that motivation is the starting point in building a research identity. Researchers need to understand what provides energy and purpose in their academic process. From there, they need to determine a specific research focus. According to him, a narrower, more focused approach can help researchers achieve clarity and depth in the field being studied.
He then summarized three main questions that can serve as a basis for reflection for researchers developing research in the field of Information Systems. First, researchers need to understand the main theories in Information Systems and how these theories can be used to analyze, explain, predict, and design and generate action. Second, researchers need to understand how to use theory and position business and management research within the field of Information Systems.
Third, researchers need to build a consistent research identity. This process begins with motivation or “why,” which shapes the research focus or “what.” Next, researchers determine a theoretical perspective or “lens,” choose a methodology or “how,” build a collaborative network or “network,” and develop contributions and impact or “impact.”
Through this activity, SBM ITB strives to continuously strengthen the academic ecosystem that encourages research development, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration. Academia Sharing #4 provides a space for academics to reflect not only on what is being researched, but also on why the research is important, how the research is developed, with whom it is developed, and what contribution it aims to make.
Written by Student Reporter (Lavena Laduri, MBA YP 2024)
