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Introduction: Why Theory? (Mis)Understanding the Context and Rationale Read chapter Read first chapter

2021 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

5. The Process of Information Systems Theorizing as a Discursive Practice*

Authors : Nik Rushdi Hassan, Lars Mathiassen, Paul Lowry

Published in: Advancing Information Systems Theories

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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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.

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previous chapter Theory Building: Neither an Art nor a Science, But a Craft*
next chapter Theorizing Digital Experience: Four Aspects of the Infomaterial
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Metadata
Title
The Process of Information Systems Theorizing as a Discursive Practice*
Authors
Nik Rushdi Hassan
Lars Mathiassen
Paul Lowry
Copyright Year
2021
Book
Advancing Information Systems Theories

Print ISBN: 978-3-030-64883-1

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-64884-8

Copyright Year: 2021

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64884-8_5

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