Theorizing in Information Systems Research

Schedule and location

Monday May 9th - Tuesday May 10th

Main building of Turku School of Economics (Rehtorinpellonkatu 3) Room 09

Registration

Registration is open March 1st - May 2nd .

Speaker

Professor Anol Bhattacherjee, University of South Florida, USA.

Organizer

Post-doctoral Research Matti Mäntymäki, Turku School of Economics, Finland.

Overview

This workshop is designed to introduce participants with a formal approach to evaluating scientific theories and using them appropriately and intelligently in their own research in a way to potentially help enhance the theoretical contribution of their research. We will examine what constitutes a scientific theory, examine a variety of scientific theories, and explore ways in which theories can be applied to information systems research in both deductive and inductive manner. Using team-based exercises, participants will evaluate the appropriateness of one or more theories for research problems of their interest and apply these theories intelligently to extend our understanding of both the research problems and the referent theoretical domains.

Detailed Program

Day 1

Session	Topics/Activities
9:00-10:30	Introduction to Theory What is theory What theory is not (e.g., models) Components of a theory Conceptualization and operationalization of theoretical constructs Types of theories: variance vs process, mid-range vs meta-theory
10:30-10:45	Break
10:45-12:15	Exemplars of theory in IS/organizational research For each theory, examine core problem addressed by that theory, core construct, causes and consequences, measurement of constructs Agency theory Diffusion of innovation theory Theory of planned behavior General deterrence theory
12:15-13:00	Lunch
13:00-14:30	Team Exercise 1 Participants will individually write down the different components of one theory of relevance to their research (15 minutes) Participants will share notes in teams and identify the most developed and least developed theory in their team (30 minutes) Each team will present their findings in class (45 minutes)
14:30-14:45	Break
14:45-16:15	Theorizing in Deductive Research Exemplars of theorizing in IS/organizational research Pros and cons of each approach

Day 2

9:00-10:30	Team Exercise 2 Each team will select one research problem and apply one or more theories to build propositions using one of the theorizing approaches discussed in the previous session (30 minutes) Each team will present their findings in class and field questions from the audience (60 minutes)
10:30-10:45	Break
10:45-12:15	Team Exercise 3 Each team will conceptualize and operationalize constructs of interests using existing measures or building new ones (30 minutes) Each team will present their findings in class and field questions from the audience (60 minutes)
12:15-13:00	Lunch
13:00-14:30	Theorizing in Inductive Research Approach to inductive theorizing Exemplars of inductive theorizing in IS/organizational research Role of activity theory, structuration theory, actor-network theory in inductive theorizing
14:30-14:45	Break
14:45-16:15	Reporting Theorizing in IS Research Course wrap-up

Credit points

Doctoral students participating in the seminar can obtain 2 credit points. This requires participating on all of the days and completing the assignment.

Registration fee

This seminar is free-of-charge for Inforte.fi member organization's staff and their PhD students. For others the participation fee is 750 €. The participation fee includes access to the event and the event materials. Lunch and dinner are not included.