Supporting Information Seeking in Software Development: A Design Theory for Local Retrieval-Augmented Generation Across Distributed Knowledge Sources

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

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

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 21st International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology (DESRIST)
EditorsJan vom Brocke, Leona Chandra Kruse, Alan Hevner, Michael Rosemann, Monica Chiarini Tremblay, Robert Winter
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer
Pages75-93
Number of pages19
ISBN (electronic)978-3-032-28316-0
ISBN (print)978-3-032-28315-3
Publication statusPublished - 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

Publication series

SeriesLecture Notes in Computer Science
Volume16605
ISSN0302-9743

Conference

Title21st International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology
SubtitleDesign for better futures. Beyond the science of the artificial
Abbreviated titleDESRIST 2026
Conference number21
Duration8 - 10 June 2026
Website
Degree of recognitionInternational event
LocationFürstbischöfliches Schloss Münster
CityMünster
CountryGermany

External IDs

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