Paper Type
Complete
Abstract
The IS field is being challenged to take theory and theorizing more seriously. This paper engages in theorizing by problematizing the notion of models as theory. The Antecedents-Privacy Concern-Outcome model (APCO), of IS privacy research, is used as an exemplar to articulate limitations of models as theory. These limitations stem in part from foundational assumptions made in the IS field’s origins impacting questions asked and whose questions they are, as well as embedded but unacknowledged theories of management, within the model. Models, created from propositions, are confounded by what is outside the model; outside entirely, or manifesting itself in the model different from their manifestation in practice, outside the model. This has a negative impact on relevance. This is contrasted with the Privacy in Context framework where models are developed from the framework and there is no outside, increasing the likelihood of relevance. Takeaways and suggestions are offered.
Paper Number
1852
Recommended Citation
Bonner, William (Bill), "IS Privacy Research: Problematizing and Theorizing Theory through Models" (2026). AMCIS 2026 Proceedings. 5.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2026/sig_phil/sig_phil/5
IS Privacy Research: Problematizing and Theorizing Theory through Models
The IS field is being challenged to take theory and theorizing more seriously. This paper engages in theorizing by problematizing the notion of models as theory. The Antecedents-Privacy Concern-Outcome model (APCO), of IS privacy research, is used as an exemplar to articulate limitations of models as theory. These limitations stem in part from foundational assumptions made in the IS field’s origins impacting questions asked and whose questions they are, as well as embedded but unacknowledged theories of management, within the model. Models, created from propositions, are confounded by what is outside the model; outside entirely, or manifesting itself in the model different from their manifestation in practice, outside the model. This has a negative impact on relevance. This is contrasted with the Privacy in Context framework where models are developed from the framework and there is no outside, increasing the likelihood of relevance. Takeaways and suggestions are offered.
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