Abstract

Action Research is a well-known methodology whose application in information systems is increasingly recommended by researchers in the field. This paper shows how action research can be useful for researchers in systems who want to link theory and practice. Specifically, it describes the way this type of research was used to validate the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in a small Chilean company, as researchers helped solving the problems of processes in two areas of the company while studying the validity of TAM. After completing two cycles of Action Research, results allowed to significantly increase the productivity of one of the departments and, at the same time, validate only three of the four basic tenets of TAM. In conclusion we can state that Action Research is a useful tool to bridge the gap between theory and practice, which also fits properly for longitudinal research as well as reducing search efforts and negotiation cases, although it requires high amounts of field work. This paper provides guidelines and recommendations on how to apply Action Research and may be of interesting for researchers and students who want to assist organizations and simultaneously increase their scientific knowledge.