IS8014 – Theory and Qualitative IS Research

Prof. Robert Davison: AC3-6247 Tel: 3442-7534 isrobert@cityu.edu.hk

Classes will be at 1400-1700 on Mondays (Room 14-282)

Syllabus   Coursework

 

Class #

Date

Title

Slides

Readings

1

15 January

 Introduction 1  

2

22 January

 Foundations of Theory Development 2

1. Alvesson, M., & Sandberg, J. (2011) Generating Research Questions through Problematization, Academy of Management Review 36, 2, 247-271.

2. Chatterjee, S. & Davison, R.M. (2021) Editorial: The Need for Compelling Problematization in Research: The Prevalence of the Gap-Spotting Approach and its Limitations, Information Systems Journal 31, 2, 227-230.

3. Lee, A.S. & Baskerville, R.L. (2003) Generalizing Generalizability in Information Systems Research, Information Systems Research 14, 3, 221-243.

4. Lee, A.S. & Baskerville, R.L. (2012) Conceptualizing Generalizability: New Contributions and a Reply, MIS Quarterly 36, 3, 749-761.

5. Sutton, R.I., & Staw, B.M. (1995) What Theory is Not, Administrative Science Quarterly 40, 3, 371-384.

6. Tarafdar, M., Pullins, E,B. and Ragu-Nathan, T.S. (2015) Technostress: Negative Effect on Performance and Possible Mitigations, Information Systems Journal 25, 2, 103-132.

7. Weick, K.E. (1995) What Theory is Not, Theorizing Is, Administrative Science Quarterly 40, 3, 385-390.

8. Whetten, D.A. (1989) What Constitutes A Theoretical Contribution? Academy of Management Review 14, 4, 490-495. 

3

29 January

 Foundations of Qualitative Research 3

1. Barley, S. R. (2006) When I Write My Masterpiece: Thoughts on What Makes a Paper Interesting, Academy of Management Journal 49, 1, 16-20.

2. Bødker, M., Gimpel, G. and Hedman, J. (2014) Time-out/Time-in: The Dynamics of Everyday Experiential Computing Devices, Information Systems Journal, 24, 2, 143-166.

3. Davison, R.M., Wong, L.H.M., Ou, C.X.J. and Alter, S. (2021) The Coordination of Workarounds: Insights from Responses to Misfits between Local Realities and a Mandated Enterprise System, Information & Management 58, 8, 103530, 1-12.

4. Gioia, D. A., Corley, K. G., & Hamilton, A. L. (2013). Seeking qualitative rigor in inductive research. Organizational Research Methods, 16, 1, 15-31.

5. Malaurent, J. and Karanasios, S. (2019) Learning from Workaround Practices: The Challenge of Enterprise System Implementations in Multinational Corporations, Information Systems Journal 30, 4, 639-663.

6. Myers, M.D. and Newman, M. (2007) The qualitative interview in IS research: Examining the craft, information & Organization 17, 1, 2-26.

7. Sarker, S., Xiao, X., Beaulieu, T. and Lee, A.S. (2018) Learning from first-generation qualitative approaches in the IS discipline: An evolutionary view and some implications for authors and evaluators – Part I and Part II, Journal of the AIS 19, 8, 752-774 and 19, 9, 909-923.

4

5 February

 Theory and Literature 4
4a

1. LePine, J.A. & King, A.W. (2010) Editors' Comments: Developing Novel Theoretical Insight from Reviews of Existing Theory and Research, Academy of Management Review 35, 4, 506-509.

2. Tarafdar, M., Cooper, C.L. and Stich, J.F. (2019) The Technostress Trifecta: Techno Eustress, Techno Distress and Design: Theoretical directions and an agenda for research, Information Systems Journal 29, 1, 6-42.

3. Webster, J., & Watson, R.T. (2002) Analyzing the Past to Prepare for the Future: Writing a Literature Review. MIS Quarterly 26, 2, xiii-xxiii.  

5

19  February

 Theory and Qualitative Data 5

1. Davison, R.M., Wong, L.H.M., Ou, C.X.J. and Alter, S. (2021) The Coordination of Workarounds: Insights from Responses to Misfits between Local Realities and a Mandated Enterprise System, Information & Management 58, 8, 103530, 1-12.

2. Meng, T., Ng, E. and Tan, B. (2022) Digital Attrition: The Negative Implications of the Sharing Economy for the Digital Options of Incumbent Firms, Information Systems Journal 32, 5, 1005-1033.
6 26 February Case Studies and Field Research 6

1. Klein, H.K. and Myers, M.D. (2000) A Set of Principles for Conducting and Evaluating Interpretive Field Research in Information Systems, MIS Quarterly, 23, 1, 67-94.

2. Lee, A.S. (1989) A Scientific Methodology for MIS Case Studies, MIS Quarterly 13, 1, 33-52.

3. Lee, A.S. and Dennis, A.R. (2012) A Hermeneutic Interpretation of a Controlled Laboratory Experiment: A Case Study of Decision-Making with a Group Support System, Information Systems Journal 22, 1, 3-27.

4. Pan, S.L. and Tan, B. (2011) Demystifying Case Research: A Structured-Pragmatic-Situational (SPS) Approach to Conducting Case Studies, Information & Organization 21, 3, 161-176.

5. Walsham, G. (1995) Interpretive Case Studies in IS Research: Nature and Method, European Journal of Information Systems 4, 1, 74-81.
7 4 March Theory Building I 7

1. Hassan, N.R., Lowry, P.B. and Mathiassen, L. (2022) Useful products in information systems theorizing: A discursive formation perspective, Journal of the AIS 23, 2, 418-446.

2. Leidner, D.E. and Tona, O. (2021) A thought-gear model of theorizing from literature, Journal of the AIS 22, 4, 874-892.

3. Poole, M.S., & van de Ven, A.H. (1989) Using Paradox to Build Management and Organization Theories, Academy of Management Review 14, 4, 562-578.

4. Rivard, S. (2014) The Ions of Theory Construction, MIS Quarterly 38, 2, iii-xiii.

5. Tan, B.C.Y., Srinivasan, A. Lyytinen, K., and Grover, V. (2008) Contributing to Rigorous and Forward Thinking Explanatory Theory, Journal of the AIS 9, 2, 40-47.

6. Weber, R. (2003a) Editor's Comments: The Problem of the Problem, MIS Quarterly 27, 1, iii-ix.

7. Weber, R. (2003b) Editor's Comments: Theoretically Speaking, MIS Quarterly 27, 3, iii-xii.
8 11 March Action Research 8

1. Davison, R.M., Martinsons, M.G. and Kock, N. (2004) Principles of Canonical Action Research, Information Systems Journal 14, 1, 65-86.

2. Davison, R.M., Martinsons, M.G., & Ou, C.X. (2012). The Roles of Theory in Canonical Action Research. MIS Quarterly, 36, 3, 763-786.

3. Davison, R.M., Martinsons, M.G. and Malaurent, J. (2021) Improving Action Research by Integrating Methods, Journal of the AIS 22, 3, 851-873.

4. Davison, R.M., Martinsons, M.G. and Wong, L.H.M. (2022) The ethics of action research participation, Information Systems Journal 32, 3, 573-594.

5. Henfridsson, O. and Lindgren, R. (2005) Multi-Contextuality in Ubiquitous Computing: Investigating the Car Case through Action Research, Information and Organization 15, 2, 95-124.

6. Iversen, J.H., Mathiassen, L. and Nielsen, P.A. (2004) Managing Risk In Software Process Improvement: An Action Research Approach, MIS Quarterly 28, 3, 395-433.

7. Kohli, R. and Kettinger, W.J. (2004) Informating The Clan: Controlling Physicians' Costs And Outcomes, MIS Quarterly 28, 3, 363-394.

8. Malaurent, J., & Avison, D. (2015). Reconciling global and local needs: A canonical action research project to deal with workarounds. Information Systems Journal 26, 3, 227-257.

9. McKay, J., & Marshall, P. (2001). The dual imperatives of action research. Information Technology & People 14(1), 46-59.

10. Wong, L.H.M. and Davison, R.M. (2018) Knowledge Sharing in a Global Logistics Provider: An Action Research Project, Information & Management 55, 5, 547-557.
9 18 March Theory Building II 9

1. Locke, E.A. (2007) The Case for Inductive Theory Building, Journal of Management 33, 6, 867-890.

2. Martinsons, M.G., Davison, R.M. and Ou, C.X.J. (2015) Developing a New Theory of Knowledge Sharing: Documenting and Reflecting on a Messy Process, 75th AoM Conference, Vancouver, August 7-11.

3. Davison, R.M., Ou, C.X.J. and Martinsons, M.G. (2013) Information Technology to Support Informal Knowledge Sharing, Information Systems Journal 23, 1, 89-109.

4. Gregory, R.W. and Henfridsson, O. (2021) Bridging Art and Science: Phenomenon-Driven Theorizing, Journal of the AIS 22, 6, 1509-1523.
10 25 March Context and Theory 10

1. Davison, R.M. and Diaz Andrade, A. (2018) Promoting Indigenous Theory, Information Systems Journal 28, 5, 759-764.

2. Davison, R.M. and Martinsons, M.G. (2016) Context is King! Considering Particularism in Research Design and Reporting, Journal of Information Technology 31, 3, 241-249.

3. Davison, R.M., Ou, C.X.J. and Ng, E. (2020) Inadequate Information Systems and Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Information & Management 57, 6, 103240, 1-10.

4. Ou, C.X.J., Pavlou, P.A. and Davison, R.M. (2014) Swift Guanxi in Online Marketplaces: The Role of Computer-Mediated-Communication Technologies, MIS Quarterly 38, 1, 209-230.

5. Tsui, A.S. (2006) Contextualisation in Chinese Management Research, Management and Organizational Review 2, 1, 1-13.

6. Xiao, X., Tan, B., Leong, C. and Tan, F.T.C. (2021) Powered by “Qinghuai”: The melding of traditional values and digital entrepreneurship in contemporary China, Information Systems Journal 31, 6, 769-802.

7. Zheng, W. and Davison, R.M. (2022) Hybrid social media use and guanxi types: How do employees use social media in the Chinese workplace? Information & Management 59, 103643, 1-15.
11 8 April Time and Theory 11

1. Bluedorn, A. C., & Denhardt, R. B. 1988. Time and organizations. Journal of Management, 14: 299-320.

2. Bluedorn, A. C., Kaufman, C. F., & Lane, P. M. 1992. How many things do you like to do at once? An introduction to monochronic and polychronic time. Academy of Management Executive, 6(4): 17-26.

3. Davison, R.M. and Tarafdar, M. (2018) Shifting baselines may threaten our future relevance, Information Systems Journal 28, 4, 587-591.

4. George, J. M., & Jones, G. R. 2000. The role of time in theory and theory building. Journal of Management, 26: 657- 684.

5. Gersick, C.J.G. (1991) Revolutionary Change Theories: A Multilevel Exploration of the Punctuated Equilibrium Paradigm, Academy of Management Review 16, 1, 10-36.

6. Maznevski, M.L. and Chudoba. K.M. (2000) Bridging space over time: Global virtual team dynamics and effectiveness, Organization Science 11, 5, 473-492.

7. Mitchell, T.R., & James, L.R. (2001) Building Better Theory: Time and the Specification of When Things Happen, Academy of Management Review 26, 4, 530-547.

8. Romanelli, E. and M.L. Tushman. (1994) Organizational Transformation as Punctuated Equilibrium: An Empirical Test, Academy of Management Journal 37, 5, 1141-1666.
12 15 April Native / Indigenous IS Theories 12

1. Baskerville, R.L. and Myers, M.D. (2003) Information systems as a reference discipline, MIS Quarterly 26, 1, 1-14.

2. Grover, V. and Lyytinen, K. (2015) New State of Play in Information Systems Research: The Push to the Edges, MIS Quarterly 39, 2, 271-295.

3. Niederman, F., Gregor, S., Grover, V., Lyytinen, K. @ Saunders, C. (2008) Panel Report: IS has outgrown the need for reference disciplines, or has it? Communications of the AIS 24, 3, 639-656.

4. Straub, D.W. (2012). Editor's Comments: Does MIS Have Native Theories? MIS Quarterly 36, 2, iii-xii.

5. Tarafdar, M. & Davison, R.M. (2018) Research in Information Systems: Intra-disciplinary and Inter-disciplinary Approaches, Journal of the AIS 19, 6, 523-551.

6. Weber, R. (2012) Evaluating and Developing Theories in the Information Systems Discipline, Journal of the AIS 13, 1, 1-30.
13 22 April Writing and Reviewing Theory and Qualitative IS Research 13

1. Chatterjee, S. and Davison, R.M. (2021) Editorial: The Need for Compelling Problematization in Research: The Prevalence of the Gap-Spotting Approach and its Limitations, Information Systems Journal 31, 2, 227-230.

2. Davison, R.M. (2014) Editorial: Cultural Bias in Reviews and Mitigation Options, Information Systems Journal 24, 6, 475-477.

3. Davison, R.M. (2015)  Editorial: The Art of Constructive Reviewing, Information Systems Journal 25, 5, 429-432.

4. Davison, R.M. (2018)  Editorial: Researchers and the Stakeholder’s Perspective, Information Systems Journal 28, 1, 1-5.

5. Davison, R.M. (2020) Editorial: Research Contributions: The Role of the Iconoclast, Information Systems Journal 30, 2, 215-219.

6. Davison, R.M., de Vreede, G.J. and Briggs, R.O. (2005) On Peer Review Standards for the Information Systems Literature, Communications of the AIS 16, 49, 967-980.

7. Davison, R.M. and Tarafdar, M. (2022) Do Scholarly Journals Have Cultural Values? Information Systems Journal 32, 5, 927-931.

8. Davison, R.M. (2019) Editorial: For Whom Do We Write? Information Systems Journal 29, 3, 577-581.

9. Fulmer, I.S. (2012) Editor's Comments: The Craft of Writing Theory Articles: Variety and Similarity in AMR, Academy of Management Review 37, 3, 327-331.

10. Hardin, A., Schneider, C. and Davison, R.M. (2022) Editorial: Established Theory Rejection, Information Systems Journal 32, 1, 1-4.

11. Techatassanasoontorn, A.A. and Davison, R.M. (2022) Editorial: Scholarly Conversation through a Review Response Document, Information Systems Journal 32, 4, 691-695.

12. Tarafdar, M. and Davison, R.M. (2020) Editorial: The Art of Referencing, Information Systems Journal 30, 5, 787-790.

13. Young, A.G., Majchrzak, A. & Kane, G.C. (2021) Reflection on writing a theory paper: How to theorize for the future, Journal of the AIS 22, 5, 1212-1223.  

Last updated January 14th, 2024