Year: 2004
Type: article
Abstract: Researchers in the information system (IS) field have recently called for the field to legitimate itself by erecting a strong theoretical core at its center. This paper examines this proposition, and concludes that it is logically invalid and does not recognize ample evidence to the contrary from the history of other disciplines. We construct a broader concept of academic legitimacy around three drivers: the salience of the issues studied, the production of strong results, and the maintenance of disciplinary plasticity. This analysis suggests that to remain successful, the IS field needs intellectual discipline in boundary spanning across a ¡°market of ideas¡± concerning the application of information technology in human enterprise.
DOI: 10.17705/1jais.00051
Authors: Kalle Lyytinen, John King
Institutions: Case Western Reserve University, University of Michigan
Language: English
Subfield: Management Information Systems
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funders: Boston College, University of Southern California, George Mason University, Purdue University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Emory University, University of Missouri, University of Minnesota, City University of Hong Kong, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve University, Louisiana State University, Georgia State University, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet, Copenhagen Business School, University of Oxford, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Queensland University of Technology, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Bar-Ilan University, Queen's University, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Oulun Yliopisto, Universität zu Köln
OpenAlex ID: W2156193217