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Overcoming the Single-IS Paradigm in Individual-Level IS Research

Author

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  • Jin P. Gerlach

    (School of Business, Economics, and Information Systems, University of Passau, 94032 Passau, Germany)

  • Ronald T. Cenfetelli

    (Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada)

Abstract

As the world turns digital, the number of information system (IS) that individuals use in their work and nonwork lives has increased significantly. These different IS are often subject to interactions and interdependencies among them, which creates new challenges and opportunities for individuals. Yet we observe a disconnect between this “multi-IS” reality and individual-level IS research, which is shaped by a dominant single-IS paradigm—that is, a deep-rooted focus on one-to-one relationships between users and IS. Although we do not question the accomplishments made by prior research, we observe at least three problems that emerge from the traditional single-IS perspective. First, the single-IS paradigm might produce incomplete theories that do not consider interactions between multiple IS that are relevant to a phenomenon. Second, existing theories that represent a phenomenon from a single-IS perspective might misrepresent the phenomenon when considering it from a multi-IS perspective. Third, we might simply lack theories for certain phenomena that involve users’ interactions with multiple IS. To inspire future researchers to overcome the boundaries of the single-IS paradigm, we first illustrate its prevalence in existing research and then build on representation theory and general systems theory to offer a framework for theorizing about multi-IS phenomena. We also demonstrate how scholars can apply this framework to study challenges and opportunities that occur when individuals interact with multiple IS. This way, we offer a foundation for future research that helps to improve work and life in our multi-IS world.

Suggested Citation

  • Jin P. Gerlach & Ronald T. Cenfetelli, 2022. "Overcoming the Single-IS Paradigm in Individual-Level IS Research," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 33(2), pages 476-488, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:33:y:2022:i:2:p:476-488
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.2021.1065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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