Underpinning theories: order‐of‐use in information systems research
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JSIT-11-2012-0064 |
| Pages | 224-238 |
| Date | 09 August 2013 |
| Published date | 09 August 2013 |
| Author | Tiko Iyamu |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
Underpinning theories:
order-of-use in information
systems research
Tiko Iyamu
Business Computing, School of Information Technology,
Polytechnic of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
Abstract
Purpose – The paper was intended to demonstrate the use and order of a combined lenses of two
theories in IS research. It helps to understand how theories could be adopted in the order of
methodological value. The way data are collected, organised and analysed is influenced and shaped by
the order of use of the underpinning theories. The importance of the order is to create consistency,
predictability, and uniformity of analysis, which have impact on the findings.
Design/methodology/approach – Review of literature, and teaching and supervision experiences
were used in the approach.
Findings – The result of a combined use of both ST and ANT in the same study has been less than
expected. The application of theories helps exhume findings. This makes the order-of-use of
application of the theories significant. Some studies applied ST before ANT, and vice versa. There has
never been a model or framework which defines the order-of-use of the theories. It could be argued that
it depend on the nature and objectives of the study. This paper focuses on order-of-use of combined
theories in information systems studies. No organisation has total power to determine what the
choice(s) of an actor will be in a particular situation. Actor and structure by virtue of their interaction
recursively produces and reproduces, on the one hand and on another, the actor and structure enable
and at the same time there are constraints.
Originality/value – Both theories can be used as a way of thinking and speaking about the
phenomena being studied and also, as a “lens” through which the data is viewed and interpreted.
Keywords Information systems, Structurationtheory, Actor network theory, Underpinning theory
Paper type General review
1. Introduction
In the last two decades, the use of theories in ontological, epistemological,
methodological, and human nature assumptions in information systems (IS) studies
has increased. According to Johnston (2001), theories provide new ways of theorising
socio-technical systems which involves IS and information technology (IT) beyond
simply massaging the tasks. The use of theories to underpin IS and IT studies are
primarily intended to investigate and understand why systems are developed the way
they do; why infrastructures and IS are deployed in the approach they do; the
interactions that takes place during systems development and implementation, as well
as the deployment of infrastructures; and the implications of these interactions and their
intended and unintended consequences. Reed (1988) argued and reaffirmed by
Kouroubali (2002) that the interplay between “action” and “structure” has shap ed the
development of organization analysis, and many studies of innovation has focused on
characteristics of individual and organisations as determining factors of successful
implementation.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1328-7265.htm
Journal of Systems and Information
Technology
Vol. 15 No. 3, 2013
pp. 224-238
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1328-7265
DOI 10.1108/JSIT-11-2012-0064
JSIT
15,3
224
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