The Role of Theory Adaptation in the Making of a Reference Discipline

Annemette Kjærgaard, Morten Thanning Vendelø

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Information Systems (IS) scholars repeatedly debate the nature of the IS discipline. A series of articles have debated whether the IS field has become a reference discipline. While many scholars have argued this question from a perceptual point of view, we address it by examining the role of theory adaptation in the making of a reference discipline. Based on a review of how the sensemaking theory from organization studies is adapted and used in IS research, we show that papers that adapt and use sensemaking theory as a central construct in the theoretical framework – in other words – engaging in theory adaptation, have a higher probability of being referenced by other disciplines. Finally, we discuss the implications of the manner in which IS scholars borrow theory regarding the IS discipline's prospects of becoming a reference discipline.
Information Systems (IS) scholars repeatedly debate the nature of the IS discipline. A series of articles have debated whether the IS field has become a reference discipline. While many scholars have argued this question from a perceptual point of view, we address it by examining the role of theory adaptation in the making of a reference discipline. Based on a review of how the sensemaking theory from organization studies is adapted and used in IS research, we show that papers that adapt and use sensemaking theory as a central construct in the theoretical framework – in other words – engaging in theory adaptation, have a higher probability of being referenced by other disciplines. Finally, we discuss the implications of the manner in which IS scholars borrow theory regarding the IS discipline's prospects of becoming a reference discipline.
LanguageEnglish
JournalInformation and Organization
Volume25
Issue number3
Pages137-149
ISSN1471-7727
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Reference discipline
  • Theory adaptation
  • Information systems research
  • Sensemaking theory

Cite this

Kjærgaard, Annemette ; Vendelø, Morten Thanning. / The Role of Theory Adaptation in the Making of a Reference Discipline. In: Information and Organization. 2015 ; Vol. 25, No. 3. pp. 137-149
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Kjærgaard, A & Vendelø, MT 2015, 'The Role of Theory Adaptation in the Making of a Reference Discipline' Information and Organization, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 137-149. DOI: 10.1016/j.infoandorg.2015.04.002

The Role of Theory Adaptation in the Making of a Reference Discipline. / Kjærgaard, Annemette; Vendelø, Morten Thanning.

In: Information and Organization, Vol. 25, No. 3, 2015, p. 137-149.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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Kjærgaard A, Vendelø MT. The Role of Theory Adaptation in the Making of a Reference Discipline. Information and Organization. 2015;25(3):137-149. Available from, DOI: 10.1016/j.infoandorg.2015.04.002

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