A Meta-Theory for Understanding Information Systems Within Sociotechnical Systems

• 成果类型: Review
• 署名作者: Bostrom, Robert P.; Gupta, Saurabh; Thomas, Dominic
• 署名单位: University System of Georgia; University of Georgia; State University System of Florida; University of North Florida
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0742-1222
• DOI: 10.2753/MIS0742-1222260102
• 发表日期: 2009
• 页码: 17-47
• 关键词: DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS; Global virtual teams; ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION; ADAPTIVE STRUCTURATION; technology adaptation; project teams; work; performance; fit; appropriation

摘要

Information systems (IS) research often attempts to examine and explain how technology leads to outcomes through usage of IS. Although extensive research in this area has resulted in a significant number of theories, limited work has been done on integrating these theories. This paper presents adaptive structuration theory (AST) as a meta-theory for examining IS within an organizational context. The two main contributions of the paper are an understanding of meta-theory's role in IS and building a case for using AST as a meta-theory to (1) provide an overarching perspective for understanding and integrating existing literature and theories, (2) provide a template and set of guidelines for creating better context-specific IS models and theories, and (3) provide a deeper understanding of a theory. Along with discussion of the contributions, we provide examples to guide researchers in applying AST as a meta-theory.