Using Grounded Theory to Generate Indigenous MIS Theory

Much of the research in the Information Systems (IS) field has been dominated by the application of reference discipline theory to IS phenomena. While this has provided useful lenses for rapid development of a theory base for IS, it has also helped shape the IS domain as an amalgam of heterogeneous topics, methods, and lessons, many of which apply more to behavioral science in general than IS in particular. This workshop aims to aid interested researchers in techniques for the direct examination of IS phenomena and procedures for the development of indigenous theory. Grounded theory is a well known and well used methodology applied broadly across many areas of study and is highly appropriate for theory development. This workshop will touch lightly on general principles and underlying theory of this method and provide direct hands-on activities aimed at skill building for the use of grounded theory in research projects, with significant prospects for high quality publication. This workshop is co-sponsored by the AIS special interest group on grounded theory

Collaborative Learning with Web 2.0 Technology: Synchronicity Dimension

Web 2.0 technology provides an open platform to promote active users’ interaction and participation in anytime and anyplace, enabling knowledge creation, sharing, and transfer. Using grounded theory approach, this study examines how effective the online collaboration tool that employs Web 2.0 technology could enhance collaborative learning in a team-based environment in higher education. The study results discover that Web 2.0 collaboration tool lacks high synchronicity dimension. High synchronicity dimension of a communication channel is characterized by immediacy of feedback in support of attaining shared understanding, focus, and trust in team interaction. As learning is an outcome of interaction among team members who exchange ideas and share experiences to attain group solutions and bring about knowledge construction, the study suggests that Web 2.0 collaboration tool should include features supporting high synchronicity dimension