Advancing Information Systems Theories: Rationale and Processes

✍ Scribed by Nik Rushdi Hassan, Leslie P. Willcocks

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 464
• Series: Technology, Work and Globalization
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The information systems (IS) field represents a multidisciplinary area that links the rapidly changing technology of information (or communications and information technology, ICT) to the business and social environment. Despite the potential that the IS field has to develop its own native theories to address current issues involving ICT it has consistently borrowed theories from its “reference disciplines,” often uncritically, to legitimize its research. This volume is the first of a series intended to advance IS research beyond this form of borrowed legitimization and derivative research towards fresh and original research that naturally comes from its own theories. It is inconceivable for a field so relevant to the era of the hyper-connected society, disruptive technologies, big data, social media, "fake news" and the weaponization of information to not be brimming with its own theories.

The first step in reaching the goal of developing native IS theories is to reach an agreement on the need for theory (its rationale) and its role as the most distinctive product of human intellectual activity. This volume addresses what theories are, why bother with theories and the process of theorizing itself because the process of developing theories cannot be divorced from the product of that process. It will lay out a research agenda for decades to come and will be invaluable reading for any academic in the IS field and related disciplines concerned with information, systems, technology and their management.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1: Introduction: Why Theory? (Mis)Understanding the Context and Rationale
Prelude
What Is Theory?
Theory from the IS Field
Theory from the Management Field
Theory from the Social Sciences
A Novel View of Theory
Ten Semantic Forms of Theory (What Theory Means)
The Need for Theories
Intimations of What Is to Come
Conclusion
References
2: Theoretical, Empirical, and Artefactual Contributions in Information Systems Research: Implications Implied
Introduction
Research Actors and Practices
Contributions and Implications
Contributions
Research Implications
Conclusion
References
3: Theoretical Diversity in IS Research: A Causal Structure Framework
Introduction
Three Core Aspects of Causality
Dimension I: Causal Ontology
Position I.A: Directional Association
Philosophical or Social Theoretic Foundations
An Example from IS Research Literature
Position I.B: Causal Mechanism
Philosophical or Social Theoretic Foundations
An Example from IS Research Literature
Position I.C: Constitutive Causality
Philosophical or Social Theoretic Foundations
Examples from IS Research Literature
Additional Observations about Causal Ontology Positions
Dimension II: Causal Trajectory
Position II.A: Cross-Boundary Change
Philosophical or Social Theoretic Foundations
Examples from IS Research Literature
Position II.B: Indwelling Change
Philosophical or Social Theoretic Foundations
An Example from IS Research Literature
Position II.C: Evolving Interlinkage
Philosophical or Social Theoretic Foundations
An Example from IS Research Literature
Additional Observations about Causal Trajectory Positions
Dimension III: Causal Autonomy
Position III.A: Human Sovereignty
Philosophical or Social Theoretic Foundations
Examples from IS Research Literature
Position III.B: Technology Autonomy
Philosophical or Social Theoretic Foundations
Examples from IS Research Literature
Position III.C: Relational Synergy
Philosophical or Social Theoretic Foundations
An Example from IS Research Literature
Additional Observations about Causal Autonomy Positions
Discussion
Promoting Theoretical Diversity
Using the Framework for Synthesis, Theory Building, and Research Design
Synthesis
Theory building
Research Design
Conclusion
References
4: Theory Building: Neither an Art nor a Science, But a Craft
Introduction
Model of the Theory-Building Process
Iteration 1: Activities—Read, Reflect, Write—Ion: Erudition
Iteration 2: Activities—Read, Reflect, Write— Ion: Motivation
Iteration 3: Activities—Read, Reflect, Write—Ion: Definition
Iteration 4: Activities—Research, Read, Reflect, Write—Ion: Imagination
Iteration 5: Activities—Respite, Read, Reflect, Write—Ions: Explanation and Presentation
Iteration 6: Activities—Review, Renounce, Revise, Read, Reflect, Write—Ion: Contribution
Did We Say Cohesion?
Concluding Remarks
References
5: The Process of Information Systems Theorizing as a Discursive Practice
Introduction
The Context of Discovery
A Framework for Foundational and Generative Discursive Practices
Foundational Theorizing Practices
Forming the Discourse
Problematizing the IS Phenomenon
Leverage Paradigms
Bridging Non-Discursive Practices
Generative Theorizing Practices
Analogizing
Metaphorizing
Mythologizing
Modelling and Constructing the Framework
Towards General Principles for Theorizing
Starting in the Context of Discovery
Deriving Inspiration from Other Theories
Connecting to Other Discourses
Evaluating Success in Theorizing
Conclusion
References
6: Theorizing Digital Experience: Four Aspects of the Infomaterial
Introduction
Infomateriality
Understanding Digital Events
Grover’s Four Aspects in the UDE Data
Discussion
Conclusion
References
7: Design Science Theorizing: The Contribution of Practical Theory
Introduction
Design Science Cases and Theorizing
Design Inquiry and Theorizing
Practical Theory
A Case Example
Selection of Introductory Theory Tools
The Emergence of an Adapted Practical Theory
Formalization of a Contributed Theory
Practical Theory in Design Inquiries
Process Theory vs. Domain theory
General Roles of Practical Theory in Design Inquiry
Practical Theories Used in Different Phases of Situational Design Inquiry
Selection and Development of Practical Theory in Design Science Studies
The Multi-functional and Cumulative Character of Practical Theory in a Community of Practice
Conclusion
References
8: Pathways to IT-Rich Recontextualized Modifying of Borrowed Theories: Illustrations from IS Strategy
Introduction
IT-Rich Recontextualized Modifying of Borrowed Theories: A Framework
Specification
Distinction
Specification and Distinction in Construct Recontextualization
Specification and Distinction in Relationship Rejustification
Conclusion
References
9: Pluralist Theory Building: A Methodology for Generalizing from Data to Theory
Introduction
Experiential Background
Theoretical Foundation
Generalization: Between Description and Theory
Pluralism: Between Single and Multiple Perspectives
Proposed Methodology
Illustration and Guidelines
Create Perspective Accounts
Synthesize Multiperspective Account
Create Theory Fragments
Synthesize Pluralist Theory
Discussion
Appendix
References
10: Revitalizing Thoughts on Theory, Theorizing, and Philosophizing in Information Systems
Introduction
The Purpose of This Chapter
What Is a Theory?
Information Systems Theories
Theoretical Implications as Increments of IS Theories
What Is Theorizing?
Theorizing in Reference Disciplines to IS
Philosophizing and Kernel Philosophies
Philosophizing: Doing Philosophy
Philosophizing in IS
Introducing Kernel Philosophies
DSR and Kernel Theories
A Rationale for Kernel Philosophies
Towards a Conceptualization of Spaces for Actualizing IS Theories
The Space of Inquiry
The Space of Theory
The Space of Actualization
Concluding Remarks
References
11: Reviving the Individual in Information Systems Theorizing
Introduction
Dialectics and Praxis
The communal infrastructure
The Dialectics Between Biomechanical and Communal Factors
Joint Actions
An illustration
Communalization
The Theory of Functional Systems
The Dialectical Approach—A Summary
The Dialectics Between Information, IT and IS
Information
The IT Artifact
The Information System
Communalization of an IT Artifact in Practice
The History
Analysis
Communalization
The Activity Modalities
Advancing IS theory
Communication
Elaboration
Information
Elaboration
The IT artifact and the IS
Elaboration
Digitalization
Elaboration
Sociomateriality
Materiality
Inseparability
Relationality
Performativity and Practices
The IS Discipline
Elaboration
Conclusion
References
Index