Applying and theorizing institutional frameworks in IS research

Abstract

This article investigates how Information Systems researchers apply institutional theoretical frameworks. Our aim is to explore the operationalization of meta-theoretical frameworks for empirical research which can often present difficulties in IS research. We include theoretical, methodological and empirical aspects to explore modalities of use. After an overview of institutional concepts, we carry out a thematic analysis of empirical journal papers on IS and institutional theory indexed in databases from 1999 to 2009. This consists of descriptive, thematic coding and cluster analysis of this textual database; this combined qualitative and quantitative method offers a unique way of analyzing how operationalization is carried out. On the basis of thematic coding and cluster analysis, our findings suggest three groups of publications which represent different methodological approaches and empirical foci: 'descriptive exploratory approaches', 'generalizing approaches', and 'sociological approaches'. We suggest that these three groups represent possible patterns of the use of 'meta' social theories in IS research, reflecting a search for disciplinary legitimacy. This helps us analyze papers according to how they use and apply theories. We identify the "organizing vision" and the regulatory approach as two institutionalist 'intermediary' concepts developed by IS researchers. Furthermore, we find that institutional theoretical frameworks have been used in 'direct', 'intermediary' or 'combined' conceptualizations. We also confirm the dynamism of the IS institutional research stream, as evidenced by the increase in number of articles between 1999 and 2009, and identify a maturation process of the IS field in investigating a social theory. As a conclusion, we make suggestions to blend different conceptualizations, methodologies and empirical foci to enrich the use of institutionalist theories in IS empirical research.institutional theory in the IS field, the organizational level as the main unit of analysis, and quantitative research as the main research methodology mobilized. These two reviews do not focus on papers where institutional theoretical frameworks are combined with other theoretical frameworks, which we do in our literature review. Nor do they highlight how researchers applied the theories, which is the specific focus of our paper as we are interested in the theorization process itself. The main characteristic of our paper is its methodological approach which supports a deep analysis of this process in a specific body of literature. Another outcome is that we also provide a detailed analysis of the domain of institutional frameworks in IS research, covering a number of issues through the identification of categories and the proposition of a taxonomy.The first part of the paper introduces general institutional and neo-institutional theoretical frameworks. Its purpose is to provide sufficient detail to support the understanding and identification of uses of institutional theory in the IS research literature. N...

The impact of legitimacy-based motives on IS adoption success: An institutional theory perspective

“…IS researchers have used institutional theory to examine a number of IS-related phenomena [29; 82; 124]. Early studies that applied the lens of institutionalism can already be found in the late 1980s and early 1990s [82], but recently this theory has found increased application in IS research [29]. Very few IS studies have used institutional theory without consideration of the organizational or technological context [29].…”

“…Early studies that applied the lens of institutionalism can already be found in the late 1980s and early 1990s [82], but recently this theory has found increased application in IS research [29]. Very few IS studies have used institutional theory without consideration of the organizational or technological context [29]. In fact, most prior IS studies have integrated institutional theory with other IT-artifact focused theories or IT-contextual theories [29].…”

“…Very few IS studies have used institutional theory without consideration of the organizational or technological context [29]. In fact, most prior IS studies have integrated institutional theory with other IT-artifact focused theories or IT-contextual theories [29]. Richer and more nuanced insights can be gained about the adoption and diffusion of IT innovations when institutional concepts are integrated with other theories.…”

Perception of corruption in e-government services post-launch of “Digital India”: role of demographic variables

“…Hitherto, institutional theory has been probed to study the public sector (Currie, 2009). Institutional theory has also been invoked to probe the innovation adoption and implementation dimensions in different contexts (DeVaujany et al , 2014). The theory also helps in underlining the extent to which information and communication technologies are being adapted to suit the interests of users (Zorn et al , 2011).…”

Factors influencing perceptions on corruption in public service delivery via e-government platform

“…For providing a theoretical base to our study, we use the institutional theory which has been amply used in studies focused in the public sector (Currie, 2009). As an information systems’ (IS) popular theory to study innovation-adoption-implementation-assimilation dimensions (DeVaujany et al , 2014), this theory has been used in research to appreciate the extent of information and communications technology (ICT) adoption (Zorn et al , 2011), social transformation (Barrett et al , 2001; Krell et al , 2016), reforming administration (Walsham and Sahay, 1999), etc. The institutional theory rests on the premise that institutions adopt different practices and mechanisms for gaining legitimacy and acceptability among different stakeholders; however, such practices and mechanisms may or may not attain the desired results (DiMaggio and Powell, 1983; Scott, 2003).…”