Abstract
This essay proposes that the boundary of a theory is central to theoretical advancement in information systems (IS) scholarship, especially amid recurring technological waves and complex sociotechnical dynamics. While IS scholarship has traditionally evaluated theoretical contributions through the development of new or extended constructs and relationships, we submit that modifying the boundary of a theory can meaningfully enhance its power. This essay conceptualizes the boundary of a theory as a demarcation shaped by contextual and foundational assumptions that underpin how well a theory explains and predicts. We develop three strategies for leveraging the boundary of a theory: contextual expansion, foundational adjustment, and contextual-foundational engagement. To support application, we offer a reflective framing and a decision scaffold that can help scholars navigate their decision to leverage the boundary of a theory. By positioning boundary work as a generative device for theorizing, this essay offers a framework for strengthening theoretical relevance and coherence under conditions of continuous technological evolution.
Recommended Citation
Sun, Ruonan and Rivard, Suzanne
(2026)
"The Boundary of a Theory as a Device for Advancing Theoretical Contributions,"
Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 27(6), 1311-1338.
DOI: 10.17705/1jais.00997
Available at:
https://aisel.aisnet.org/jais/vol27/iss6/9
DOI
10.17705/1jais.00997
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