Advances in Theories, Methods and Philosophy

Track Description
Scientific fields do not only develop cumulatively, but rather through constant challenging of widely taken for granted beliefs underlying cumulative research tradition. An important aspect of any scientific field is to ensure that its ideas can withstand scrutiny from the members of own and other scientific communities. Such activity is important for IS community to ensure that the approaches we rely on to build on our research, sometimes over years or decades, are on solid grounds and leading the IS community to progress in the right direction. Such scrutiny can reveal weaknesses, which future research can improve, call for debate on criticized approaches, or inspire development of new approaches. This critical scrutiny can focus on any part of IS research, including the fundamental beliefs on theories, methods, IS philosophy and the role of IS in solving important practical and societal problems. Against this background, the track “Advances in Theories, Methods and Philosophy” invites submissions aimed at challenging fundamental assumptions in IS methods, philosophy or theories and proposing new approaches to advance IS research. This track not only serves as the forum for challenging debates with well-grounded arguments, but also invites new advances regarding theory, methods, or philosophy.

Track Chairs
Xinxin Li, University of Connecticut
Emmanuel Monod, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics and IPAG Business School
Mikko Siponen, University of Jyväskylä