David Avison

David Avison is a Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Information Systems at ESSEC Business School in France. He holds a PhD in Information Systems from Aston University (1990) and has held academic positions at institutions such as the University of Southampton, University of Technology Sydney, and Brunel University. His research focuses on information systems development, action research methodologies, and the organizational impact of IT/IS. He has authored over 25 books, including Information Systems Development: Methodologies, Techniques and Tools, and has been recognized with awards like the LEO Award (2018) and IFIP Silver Core (1998). Avison has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Information Systems Journal and held leadership roles in global academic organizations such as the Association for Information Systems (AIS) and IFIP Technical Committee 8. His work emphasizes bridging theoretical and practical aspects of information systems through rigorous qualitative and action research approaches.

Education:

• PhD in Information Systems, Aston University (1990)
• Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches, Université de Nantes (2003)
• MSc in Computer Applications, Metropolitan University London (1974)
• BSc in Economics, University of Leicester (1969)

Research Interests: Avison’s work explores the application of action research in IS development, qualitative methodologies, and the societal impact of ICT. He advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges in IS practice, emphasizing the importance of theory-informed yet practice-oriented research. His studies often delve into ERP implementations, cross-cultural IS offshoring, and strategic alignment of IT with organizational goals.

Awards:

• LEO Award for Lifetime Achievement (2018)
• Best Paper in Information and Management (2017)
• Emerald Literati Network Award (2011)
• IFIP Silver Core (1998)

Grants & Advising: Avison has advised multiple PhD students and contributed to projects on ICT-enabled innovation, business models in mobile telecommunication, and inclusive finance in India. His consulting work includes strategy development for multinational corporations.

Labs & Teams: Engaged with ESSEC’s Information Systems, Data Analytics, and Operations department. Collaborates with global research networks, including the IS Senior Scholars Forum and editorial boards of leading journals.