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

But Is It MIS?

From the perspective of a doctoral student, there are several inferences to be made from the Is it MIS? question. First are inferences pertaining to the nature of MIS as a system (or set of systems) focusing on issues including purpose and boundary. Second are inferences about the role and responsibilities of the individual researcher relative to the MIS community. Third are inferences about science and the nature of inquiry. This dimension considered, even if it is MIS, does it support MIS as a worthy component of a larger world of inquiry. This article addresses these issues and concludes with some thoughts about Gary Dickson\u27s contribution through this and similar questions on the MIS field

Why Future Studies Provides a Critical Opportunity for the IS Discipline

This paper argues that the Futures Studies research approach is of interest and importance to the IS discipline and community. It elaborates on aspects of empirical IS that need reconceptualization to accommodate the unique aspects of studying the future and how these might be incorporated into the MIS canon

Reflections on CAIS and the IS Field from a Former Editor-in-Chief

This essay represents the lessons I learned over a three-year term serving as editor-in-chief of Communications of the Association for Information Systems (CAIS). The discussion revolves around general observations of the IS field, the relationship between these observations of the IS field and CAIS and CAIS\u27s unique mission and how that mission serves stakeholders, authors, readers, editorial team members, and touches on the logistics of managing a journal. The discussions focus on the use of theory in IS knowledge production, the meaning of a contribution, the goal of examining and challenging widely held assumptions and positions, as well as building on prior knowledge

Responding to Three Issues in Hassan (2014)

This article is intended to address three of the issues raised by Hassan (2014) in his essay: “Value of Information Systems (IS) Research: Is there a Crisis?”. The three issues addressed here pertain to: (1) the desirability and nature of an IS core; (2) the relative social value in the study of IS whether narrowly or broadly defined; and (3) indicators of better research. Regarding the core, an argument for a narrow definition of the core is proposed with the view of providing a target for retention of central issues in IS rather than as a defining characteristic of what is necessary for inclusion in the IS portfolio. The meaning of social value will naturally and beneficially vary among the large number of IS scholars. It is of importance to recognize and stimulate, without mandating, efforts to bridge traditional IS concerns and broader social issues. The various criteria for evaluating value in IS, or any other research domain, are challenged with counter examples. Finally, suggestions for moving forward are presented

Global IS research: Cultivating universalistic and situated perspectives in the age of ubiquitous computing

This paper examines the tension between universalistic and situated perspectives particularly in terms of the forces driving each perspective as well as other forces constraining them. This concept is discussed in general, and then applied to a set of specific topics across the range of global IS concerns. The paper includes a discussion of the tension between these perspectives in investigating emerging topics in global IS research and concludes providing some guidance in extending research in this area

Reflections on Replications

We are immensely pleased to see a publication dedicated to replications in the IS field (Dennis and Valacich, 2014). We believe it is long overdue and will serve a useful and path breaking function in the Information Systems discipline and, perhaps, in the larger academic community (Berthon, et al., 2002). Toward that end, we share our particular view of replication: why it is important and how various types of replications may co-exist. We also offer some thoughts about ways that researchers might go about this type of research that will add value to their own work and more effectively add value to the body of knowledge that represents the IS discipline

Moving the Work System Theory Forward

Alter (2013) proposes the work system theory (WST) as the transformation of previously developed information system (IS) artifacts: the work system method (WSM), the work system framework, and the work system life cycle (WSLC). This transformation of IS artifacts into theory suggests a new set of questions regarding how we conceptualize theory and how it relates to the evaluation of IS artifacts. We conclude that such a transformation can benefit the information systems field if it enables the codification of generalized propositions that can be tested in realistic settings. Indeed, we suggest that this should be the ultimate goal of the construction of methodological IS artifacts such as those underlying the work system approach

Emerging Ideas and Topics in IS: Introduction to the Special Section

This essay provides a discussion of the original and evolving notions of what constitutes an “emerging” idea and describes the processes by which we organized this special section. We also discuss each of the ten selected articles in terms of what we see that makes the article “emerging” and how we see it fitting into the larger framework of IS knowledge

Teaching Is Ethics: Applying A Research Technique For Classroom Use

The nature of IS technologies and the range of appropriate and inappropriate uses continues to evolve and expand. Providing appropriate classroom content to introduce students to classic information ethics problems as well as methods for analyzing possible actions within a challenging situation are difficult and important to provide in MIS educational programs. This research paper describes the application to educational activities of a research technique pioneered by Donn Parker using scenarios and Likert scale values choices pertaining to IS ethical issues. The recommended method for application in the education setting is described. Key findings in terms of ethical themes that permeated surveys and discussions by students are also presented and discussed