The Philosopher's Corner: Pluralism and Pragmatism in the Information Systems Field: The Case of Research on Business Processes and Organizational Routine

2021 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Mendling, Jan; Berente, Nicholas; Seidel, Stefan; Grisold, Thomas

Abstract: In an effort to contribute to the recent debate around epistemological and metho ... Expand

Abstract: In an effort to contribute to the recent debate around epistemological and methodological anarchism inspired by the thinking of Paul Feyerabend, we reflect on Habermas's pragmatist perspective of social science. We argue that the information systems field instantiates a sort of pluralism that goes beyond the relativistic conclusions of Feyerabend. This is evident through the different traditions of research into business processes and organizational routines. There is a healthy diversity of epistemological and methodological approaches in this research. Accompanying this diversity is an openness to novelty and change. Yet, at the same time, this does not necessitate the abandonment of rigor and a cumulative tradition implied by "anything goes." Anything does not go, and that's a good thing. There is not a singular, hegemonic approach to what constitutes strong information systems research, but neither have we devolved into anarchy. Collapse

Topics: business process management

Methods: mixed method

On the March of Time and the Meaning of Days: 50 Years of MIS Research Publications at The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems

2019 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Stafford, Tom; Petter, Stacie

Abstract: As of this issue, The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems marks its 50 ... Expand

Abstract: As of this issue, The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems marks its 50th year of publication. We are minded to introspect, then, on what it means to have been here for 50 years. For some, it means that this journal came to be in the year that astronauts first landed on the moon; that sounds like a very modern occurrence, but having transpired in 1969, it was literally a half century ago. That is 18,250 days, or 2,607 weeks, or 599 months, or, of course, one half of a century. Century - the Latin root of which connotes groups of 100; half of 100 being fifty, and that being a darned large number in some respects, but in others very small. It depends on point of view, as the physicist Einstein (1921) would have put it. When you are moving at great speeds, time seems to pass more slowly (as compared to the perceptions of a less-fast moving observer). Time and its passage are a subjective perception of the perceiver, even outside of the physics of relativity (Evans, 2005). As Carol Saunders once speculated in a closing essay during her time at MIS Quarterly, it only seems like yesterday that we came to be a field of inquiry in Management Information Systems, and we could consider ourselves in the geological scheme of time to be very young indeed (Saunders, 2007). On the other hand, for those busily engaged in the fast-moving activities of publishing a journal like ours, time flies in different ways when we consider how long significant landmarks of the field of Management Information Systems have been in place (as has this journal, for a similar period of time). It was just yesterday, and it has been forever. We only just took Volume 48, Number 1 to press, it seems, and here we are at 50(1)! Time is in the Einsteinian details. Collapse

Methods: mixed method archival research

The Philosopher's Corner: Questioning Assumptions in the Information Systems Discipline

2018 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Burton-Jones, Andrew

Abstract: A healthy characteristic of any research field is a willingness to question its ... Expand

Abstract: A healthy characteristic of any research field is a willingness to question its own assumptions. In this essay, I discuss Treiblmaier's proposal to question the epistemological and methodological assumptions of the Information Systems field. Treiblmaier's proposal is thoughtful and provocative and reflects his deep knowledge of the topic and his strong desire for an alternative epistemological and methodological future for our field. Drawing on Feyerabend, Treiblmaier recommends that IS researchers adopt epistemological anarchism, methodological anarchism, and "anything goes" as a guiding principle. I argue against all of these viewpoints. I argue that epistemological anarchism will not foster research progress, methodological anarchism will not lead to major new insights, and "anything goes" as a guiding principle will not benefit the field. Despite disagreeing with Treiblmaier's main recommendations, I highlight several points that I agree are important for the field to address. Collapse

The Philosopher's Corner: The Value of Philosophical Debate: Paul Feyerabend and His Relevance for IS Research

2018 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Myers, Michael D.

Abstract: This article is a critique of Horst Treiblmaier's article that was published in ... Expand

Abstract: This article is a critique of Horst Treiblmaier's article that was published in the May issue of this journal, in which he discussed the relevance of Paul Feyerabend's philosophy for the field of information systems. Treiblmaier proposed epistemological anarchism, methodological anarchism, and -anything goes" as a guiding principle for IS. I disagree with these three propositions. In fact, I believe that Treiblmaier has misinterpreted Feyerabend's position and suggest that Feyerabend's philosophy needs to be understood within the context of the philosophical debate about the nature of science that was taking place at the time. Of course, no one scientific method should be imposed on all scientists, and I agree that we need epistemological and methodological diversity, but this is not the same as anarchy. Instead of anarchy, I support a "disciplined methodological pluralism" in our field. Collapse

Methods: mixed method literature sample design science

"Haters Gonna Hate": PLS and Information Systems Research

2018 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Petter, Stacie

Abstract: A popular colloquial saying in the 2010s, "haters gonna hate" is an expression ... Expand

Abstract: A popular colloquial saying in the 2010s, "haters gonna hate" is an expression of disregard for another person's negative comments on a subject. While "haters gonna hate" is not a particularly academic expression, I choose to use this colloquialism to address a concern I have within the discipline of information systems.Since the beginning of my academic career, I have heard rumblings in our discipline and in other disciplines about the high levels of use of Partial Least Squares (PLS) in the information systems field. In doctoral courses, some faculty explained that covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) is the "gold standard" of path modeling, and while PLS might have a place, it is not as robust as CB-SEM. As my career progressed, I continued to hear colleagues lament about the overuse of PLS in information systems. Occasionally, I would notice a reviewer question why PLS was used as opposed to CB-SEM in a review packet. At conferences, I remember hearing many conversations about the overuse of PLS and its problems, and admittedly, I joined in at times on the anti-PLS bandwagon. It became increasingly popular to criticize PLS.There are some situations in which PLS is better equipped to analyze a structural model than CB-SEM. Collapse

Topics: social media IS discipline

Methods: partial least squares regression structural equation modeling longitudinal research event study

Philosophically Speaking...

2018 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Stafford, Thomas F.

Abstract: ... Expand

Abstract: Collapse

Topics: marketing management information overload

The Philosopher's Corner: Paul Feyerabend and the Art of Epistemological Anarchy - A Discussion of the Basic Tenets of Against Method and an Assessment of Their Potential Usefulness for the Information Systems Field

2018 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Treiblmaier, Horst

Abstract: Paul Feyerabend was presumably one of the most controversial thinkers in scienti ... Expand

Abstract: Paul Feyerabend was presumably one of the most controversial thinkers in scientific epistemology. A self-proclaimed proponent of epistemological anarchism, in his seminal book Against Method he fiercely criticized rationalist thinking, as represented by his friend Imre Lakatos. As a result, he found himself heavily under fire for allegedly propagating ideas related to anarchy, Voodoo, astrology, Dada, and even violence. At times he even admitted that he regretted having written his famous book in the first place.1 He has been labeled the "worst enemy of science" and is generally only briefly mentioned as a marginal note following the discussion of critical rationalism in philosophical textbooks. In this paper I argue that a thorough review of his thoughts and principles might provide interesting insights, discussions, and even research guidelines for the Information Systems(IS) community. Initially, I briefly introduce the philosopher Feyerabend and his key ideas together with some criticism. Next, three central propositions are distilled from his work and four experienced IS researchers express their opinions on these statements. Finally, I provide a short summary and some suggestions regarding epistemology and methodology in the IS field. Collapse

Methods: mixed method structural equation modeling

“Against Method” and “Anything Goes”?

2018 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Treiblmaier, Horst; Burton-Jones, Andrew; Gregor, Shirley; Hirschheim, Rudy; Myers, Michael; Stafford, Tom

Abstract: In this panel six IS researchers from varying backgrounds will discuss whether e ... Expand

Abstract: In this panel six IS researchers from varying backgrounds will discuss whether epistemological anarchy, as proposed by the controversial philosopher Paul Feyerabend, has the potential to foster research progress and can help to create new insights in the IS field. Feyerabend is well known for his notion that "anything goes" in terms of methodology, and many scholars are concerned that this seemingly anarchistic sentiment can undermine efforts to systematically build and structure an epistemological and methodological foundation for an academic discipline. This panel, which will be moderated by Horst Treiblmaier, includes as panelists Andrew Burton-Jones, Shirley Gregor, Rudy Hirschheim, Michael Myers, and Tom Stafford. The outcome of this discussion will be incorporated into a paper published in the DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems. Collapse

Organizational dynamics of technology-based innovation: diversifying the research agenda

2008 | Journal of Information Technology | Citations: 0

Authors: Wastell, David G.; McMaster, Tom

Abstract: The Journal of Information Technology is of interest to academics, scholars, adv ... Expand

Abstract: The Journal of Information Technology is of interest to academics, scholars, advanced students and reflective practitioners in management science, information systems and computer science disciplines. The journal will also inform those seeking an update on current experience and future prospects in the areas of contemporary information and communications technology. Collapse

Topics: innovation management communication service infrastructure diffusion of innovation IT project technological change

Methods: experiment case study design artifact literature sample survey

Theories: theory of social shaping of technology actor network theory diffusion of innovations theory punctuated equilibrium theory cultural historical activity theory