Toward a framework of mindful metaphor use in IS

Presenter Information

Shaoxin Wang, The University of SydneyFollow
Bowen Guan, University of Sydney Business SchoolFollow
Yangting Li, The University of SydneyFollow
Rick Sullivan, University of Sydney Business SchoolFollow

Paper Number

ICIS2025-2156

Paper Type

Short

Abstract

This paper examines metaphor use in information systems (IS) research and problematizes inappropriate metaphor use that generates confusion rather than advancing conceptual and theoretical understanding. We present the early stages of a hermeneutic analysis on metaphor use in IS. We identify three distinct functions of metaphor uses in IS research, serving as linguistic decoration, sensitizing concepts, and troublemakers. We found that metaphors can be valuable research tools when used mindfully but become problematic when applied imprecisely or when conflicting with underlying meanings may create confusion rather than clarity. This research sensitizes IS researchers to engage reflexively with their metaphor foundational assumptions, align metaphor use with their onto-epistemic commitments, and mindfully use metaphors as a sensitizing concept to reflect their understanding of the world.

Comments

25-Research

Recommended Citation

Wang, Shaoxin; Guan, Bowen; Li, Yangting; and Sullivan, Rick, "Toward a framework of mindful metaphor use in IS" (2025). ICIS 2025 Proceedings. 16.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2025/is_researchmethods/is_researchmethods/16