Start Date
11-12-2016 12:00 AM
Description
There has been ongoing debate over whether innovative theorizing in the IS field is hampered by overreliance on borrowed theories. In this article, we identify the problems that arise from borrowing reference theories within the field, by using Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) as a theory exemplar. We develop a taxonomy of theory borrowing and classify 96 articles from nine leading IS and Management journals onto our taxonomy. The results of the classification reveal a low level of adaptation of TCE and a lack of indigenous innovative theories. We then provide a possible explanation for the low level of theory adaptation in the field. Based on this diagnosis, we present guidance for IS researchers on how reference theories can be creatively extended in order to create more innovative theory in the field.
Recommended Citation
Jiang, Dan; Jiang, Lianlian; London, Jake; Grover, Varun; and Sun, Heshan, "Taking Ownership of Borrowed Theories: The Case of Transaction Cost Theory" (2016). ICIS 2016 Proceedings. 8.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2016/Methodological/Presentations/8
Taking Ownership of Borrowed Theories: The Case of Transaction Cost Theory
There has been ongoing debate over whether innovative theorizing in the IS field is hampered by overreliance on borrowed theories. In this article, we identify the problems that arise from borrowing reference theories within the field, by using Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) as a theory exemplar. We develop a taxonomy of theory borrowing and classify 96 articles from nine leading IS and Management journals onto our taxonomy. The results of the classification reveal a low level of adaptation of TCE and a lack of indigenous innovative theories. We then provide a possible explanation for the low level of theory adaptation in the field. Based on this diagnosis, we present guidance for IS researchers on how reference theories can be creatively extended in order to create more innovative theory in the field.