Abstract
In researching IS phenomena, many different theoretical lenses have been advanced. This paper proposes the use of Margaret Archer’s Morphogenetic Approach to Analytical Dualism (MAAD) as a social theoretic approach to explain why social phenomena may occur in a case study. This paper provides a brief overview to MAAD, providing a brief description of its tenets and methodology for use in an empirical study. Then as an example, it applies MAAD to the well-known CONFIG case (Keil, 1995). This approach shows that the implementation failed due to the forces of the ideological structures on the project team. Further, it finds that the project escalated due to the prevailing corporate culture and credibility of the advocate. The project was de-escalated when the culture was changed and the advocate died. This example shows that the use of this social theory can provide explanatory purchase where social phenomena are involved.
Recommended Citation
Cuellar, Michael J., "Using Realist Social Theory to Explain Project Outcomes" (2009). International Research Workshop on IT Project Management 2009. 7.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/irwitpm2009/7