Business informatics

Business informatics (BI) is a discipline combining Economics , Economics of digitization, Business Administration , information technology (IT), and concepts of Computer Science. The BI discipline was created in Germany- in german: Wirtschaftsinformatik / Wi ,(Wirtschaft-economics and Informatik-computer science). It is an established academic discipline including bachelor, master, diploma and PhD programs in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and is establishing in an increasing number of other countries as well as Australia, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico. Business informatics (BI) is a discipline combining Economics , Economics of digitization, Business Administration , information technology (IT), and concepts of Computer Science. The BI discipline was created in Germany- in german: Wirtschaftsinformatik / Wi ,(Wirtschaft-economics and Informatik-computer science). It is an established academic discipline including bachelor, master, diploma and PhD programs in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and is establishing in an increasing number of other countries as well as Australia, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico. BI shows similarities to information systems (IS), which is a well established discipline originating from North America. However, there are a few differences that make business informatics a unique own discipline: Information systems (IS) focuses on empirically explaining phenomena of the real world. IS has been said to have an 'explanation-oriented' focus in contrast to the 'solution-oriented' focus that dominates BI. IS researchers make an effort to explain phenomena of acceptance and influence of IT in organizations and the society applying an empirical approach. In order to do that usually qualitative and quantitative empirical studies are conducted and evaluated. In contrast to that, BI researchers mainly focus on the creation of IT solutions for challenges they have observed or assumed. Tight integration between research and teaching following the Humboldtian ideal is another goal in business informatics. Insights gained in actual research projects become part of the curricula quite fast because most researchers are also lecturers at the same time. The pace of scientific and technological progress in BI is quite rapid, therefore subjects taught are under permanent reconsideration and revision. In its evolution, the BI discipline is fairly young. Therefore, significant hurdles have to be overcome in order to further establish its vision.