The intellectual core of the IS field: A systematic exploration of theories in our top journals

Daniel S. Soper, Ofir Turel, Nitza Geri

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The information systems (IS) field has relied on a broad and varied collection of theories. The core of this theoretical landscape is an important determinant of the identity of the IS field, and has hence been discussed extensively in recent years. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the composition, consistency, and evolution of this theoretical core. Here we address these issues empirically by identifying the theories and levels of analysis which constitute the core of the IS field, and by quantifying the degree of theoretical uniformity among the field's top journals. Using a set of 87 theories in conjunction with n-gram analyses, we analyze the full text of every research article published in three top IS journals over a 22-year period in order to identify the field's most frequently and consistently used theories and theory clusters. We further identify substantial overlap among the theoretical core of the field's leading journals, but also note differences in the theoretical character of each journal.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 47th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2014
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages4629-4638
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9781479925049
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014
Event47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2014 - Waikoloa, HI, United States
Duration: 6 Jan 20149 Jan 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
ISSN (Print)1530-1605

Conference

Conference47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWaikoloa, HI
Period6/01/149/01/14

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