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Research Commentary: Rethinking “Diversity” in Information Systems Research

Author

Listed:
  • Izak Benbasat

    (Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, University of British Columbia, 2053 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z2)

  • Ron Weber

    (Department of Commerce, The University of Queensland, Australia 4072)

Abstract

Three types of diversity have been prominent in the Information Systems discipline for over a decade: (a) diversity in the problems addressed; (b) diversity in the theoretical foundations and reference disciplines used to account for IS phenomena; and (c) diversity in the methods used to collect, analyze, and interpret data. History has played a major part in encouraging IS researchers to use diversity as a means of countering criticisms of their discipline and increasing their research rigor and productivity. In particular, frequent recourse to reference disciplines has underpinned much of the research that has been undertaken since the early 1980s. There are now signs, however, that the level of diversity that currently exists in IS research may be problematic. In this paper, we consider some of the benefits and costs of allowing diversity to reign in the IS discipline. We also propose a structure that we hope will facilitate discourse on the benefits and costs of diversity and on the role that diversity should now play in the IS discipline.

Suggested Citation

  • Izak Benbasat & Ron Weber, 1996. "Research Commentary: Rethinking “Diversity” in Information Systems Research," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 7(4), pages 389-399, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:7:y:1996:i:4:p:389-399
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.7.4.389
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Erastus Karanja & Aditya Sharma & Ibrahim Salama, 2020. "What does MIS survey research reveal about diversity and representativeness in the MIS field? A content analysis approach," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 122(3), pages 1583-1628, March.
    2. Thomas F. Burgess & Paul Grimshaw & Nicky E. Shaw, 2017. "Research Commentary—Diversity of the Information Systems Research Field: A Journal Governance Perspective," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 28(1), pages 5-21, March.
    3. Mihail Cocosila & Alexander Serenko & Ofir Turel, 2011. "Exploring the management information systems discipline: a scientometric study of ICIS, PACIS and ASAC," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 87(1), pages 1-16, April.
    4. John Mingers, 2001. "Combining IS Research Methods: Towards a Pluralist Methodology," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 12(3), pages 240-259, September.
    5. Kevin Zhu & Kenneth L. Kraemer, 2005. "Post-Adoption Variations in Usage and Value of E-Business by Organizations: Cross-Country Evidence from the Retail Industry," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 16(1), pages 61-84, March.

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