Advances in Methods, Theories, and Philosophy

The track on advances in methods, theories, and philosophy continues the ICIS tradition by inviting IS scholars to engage with fundamental questions of the nature and purpose of IS research and theorizing, to critically reflect on philosophical underpinnings and methodological developments, and to envisage advances that would inspire future scholarly endeavors.

Rapid, ubiquitous digitalization is not only an ever-present subject of our inquiries, it also poses growing concerns regarding social, organizational and individual issues. With its focus on the social, the technological and the human, the IS discipline has unique opportunities and responsibilities in investigating, understanding, and theorizing digital phenomena. We have unique opportunities due to our systemic, holistic, multi-faceted, and multi-paradigmatic inquiries into the technological, social, and human aspects of digitalization.

Furthermore, we have unique responsibilities for identifying, drawing attention to, and explaining the dangers and detrimental social effects of, problematic digitalization practices (such as digital surveillance; digital discrimination and depravation of the most vulnerable) often imposed under the banner of “technological progress.” With our inquiries, our theorizing, and the knowledge that we create, we all participate in the making of our shared digital world and the remaking of our humanity.

Track Co-Chairs Dubravka Cecez-Kecmanovic, Ph.D., University of New South Wales
Aron Lindberg, Ph.D., Stevens Institute of Technology
Tuure Tuunanen, Ph.D., University of Jyväskylä