From representation to mediation: a new agenda for conceptual modeling research in a digital world

The role of information systems (IS) as representations of real-world systems is changing in an increasingly
digitalized world, suggesting that conceptual modeling is losing its relevance to the IS field. We argue the
opposite: Conceptual modeling research is more relevant to the IS field than ever, but it requires an update
with new theory. We develop a new theoretical framework of conceptual modeling that delivers a fundamental
shift in the assumptions that govern research in this area. This move can make traditional knowledge about
conceptual modeling consistent with the emerging requirements of a digital world. Our framework draws
attention to the role of conceptual modeling scripts as mediators between physical and digital realities. We
identify new research questions about grammars, methods, scripts, agents, and contexts that are situated in
intertwined physical and digital realities. We discuss several implications for conceptual modeling scholarship
that relate to the necessity of developing new methods and grammars for conceptual modeling, broadening the
methodological array of conceptual modeling scholarship, and considering new dependent variables.