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

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

OriginalspracheEnglisch
TitelProceedings of the 21st International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology (DESRIST)
Redakteure/-innenJan vom Brocke, Leona Chandra Kruse, Alan Hevner, Michael Rosemann, Monica Chiarini Tremblay, Robert Winter
ErscheinungsortCham
Herausgeber (Verlag)Springer
Seiten75-93
Seitenumfang19
ISBN (elektronisch)978-3-032-28316-0
ISBN (Print)978-3-032-28315-3
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2026
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Publikationsreihe

ReiheLecture Notes in Computer Science
Band16605
ISSN0302-9743

Konferenz

Titel21st International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology
UntertitelDesign for better futures. Beyond the science of the artificial
KurztitelDESRIST 2026
Veranstaltungsnummer21
Dauer8 - 10 Juni 2026
Webseite
BekanntheitsgradInternationale Veranstaltung
OrtFürstbischöfliches Schloss Münster
StadtMünster
LandDeutschland

Externe IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-6006-2594/work/211003143
ORCID /0009-0001-2082-642X/work/211005374
Scopus 105041654703