Supporting Information Seeking in Software Development: A Design Theory for Local Retrieval-Augmented Generation Across Distributed Knowledge Sources
Publikation: Beitrag in Buch/Konferenzbericht/Sammelband/Gutachten › Beitrag in Konferenzband › Beigetragen › Begutachtung
Beitragende
Abstract
Software development revolves around two core activities: continuously seeking information and producing code. While coding has strong tool support, information seeking across distributed knowledge sources remains less systematically supported. Prior work shows that a major source of information seeking effort in software development arises from frequent switching between heterogeneous knowledge sources. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) offers a promising approach by grounding generative models in organization-specific knowledge, enabling more context-sensitive information access. However, many RAG implementations rely on cloud-hosted Large Language Models (LLMs), raising concerns in privacy-sensitive contexts where proprietary data cannot be externally processed. Moreover, such systems often assume infrastructure, computational resources, and specialized expertise, conflicting with resource-constrained organizational contexts shaped by limited budgets, as is typically the case in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Local Small Language Models (SLMs) mitigate these constraints but are more prone to hallucinations. Following a Design Science Research approach, this study contributes a nascent design theory for cross-source information seeking under these constraints. In particular, we propose a local-first, modular design that focuses on retrieval quality. The prototype demonstrates how AI-assisted information access can be realized while retaining control over model execution. An evaluation conducted in an SME indicates organizational feasibility and improved access to information.
Details
| Originalsprache | Englisch |
|---|---|
| Titel | Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology (DESRIST) |
| Redakteure/-innen | Jan vom Brocke, Leona Chandra Kruse, Alan Hevner, Michael Rosemann, Monica Chiarini Tremblay, Robert Winter |
| Erscheinungsort | Cham |
| Herausgeber (Verlag) | Springer |
| Seiten | 75-93 |
| Seitenumfang | 19 |
| ISBN (elektronisch) | 978-3-032-28316-0 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-3-032-28315-3 |
| Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 2026 |
| Peer-Review-Status | Ja |
Publikationsreihe
| Reihe | Lecture Notes in Computer Science |
|---|---|
| Band | 16605 |
| ISSN | 0302-9743 |
Konferenz
| Titel | 21st International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology |
|---|---|
| Untertitel | Design for better futures. Beyond the science of the artificial |
| Kurztitel | DESRIST 2026 |
| Veranstaltungsnummer | 21 |
| Dauer | 8 - 10 Juni 2026 |
| Webseite | |
| Bekanntheitsgrad | Internationale Veranstaltung |
| Ort | Fürstbischöfliches Schloss Münster |
| Stadt | Münster |
| Land | Deutschland |
Externe IDs
| ORCID | /0000-0001-6006-2594/work/211003143 |
|---|---|
| ORCID | /0009-0001-2082-642X/work/211005374 |
| Scopus | 105041654703 |