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The Process of Information Systems Theorizing as a Discursive Practice*

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Advancing Information Systems Theories

Part of the book series: Technology, Work and Globalization ((TWG))

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Abstract

Although there has been a growing understanding of theory in the Information Systems (IS) field in recent years, the process of theorizing is rarely addressed with contributions originating from other disciplines and little effort to coherently synthesize them. Moreover, the field’s view of theorizing has traditionally focused on the context of justification with an emphasis on collection and analysis of data in response to a research question with theory often added as an afterthought. To fill this void, we foreground the context of discovery that emphasizes the creative and often serendipitous articulation of theory by emphasizing this important stage of theorizing as a reflective and highly iterative practice. Specifically, we suggest that IS researchers engage in foundational theorizing practices to form the discourse, problematize the phenomenon of interest and leverage paradigms, and deploy generative theorizing practices through analogies, metaphors, myths, and models to develop the IS discourse. To illustrate the detailed workings of these discursive practices, we draw on key examples from IS theorizing.

*Reprinted by permission, Hassan, N.R., Mathiassen, L. & Lowry, P.B. (2019) The process of information systems theorizing as a discursive practice. Journal of Information Technology, 34(3), pp. 198–220.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management Studies, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA

    Nik Rushdi Hassan

  2. Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Lars Mathiassen

  3. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Paul Lowry

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    Nik Rushdi Hassan

  2. Department of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

    Leslie P. Willcocks

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Hassan, N.R., Mathiassen, L., Lowry, P. (2021). The Process of Information Systems Theorizing as a Discursive Practice*. In: Hassan, N.R., Willcocks, L.P. (eds) Advancing Information Systems Theories. Technology, Work and Globalization. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64884-8_5

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