Abstract and Learning Objectives
The generation of knowledge can be seen as one of the key contributions of any science. Consequently, many scholars emphasize the centrality of theories for any scientific endeavor – a thought widely reflected in many disciplines from the natural to the social sciences. While a corresponding attention to theoretical work has been at the heart of the Information Systems (IS) discipline for a long time, the focus on theoretical debates and genuine conceptual contributions has been picking up recently. This is reflected by a number of journal sections and conference tracks dedicated to advancing theory and theorizing in IS research just as much as in many authors’ experiences during the reviews of their work.
The course “Advanced Topics in Information Systems Theory” invites participants to join the ongoing discourse on theories and theorizing in the Business and Information Systems Engineering (BISE) and Information Systems (IS) research communities. It is designed to help participants build and extend their understanding of the nature and role of theory in BISE and IS research. Through discussions and analyses of current theoretical developments in the BISE and IS discipline and some of its main reference disciplines, participants will engage with theory and advance their skills of building their own theoretical contributions.
The course aims to achieve the following high-level learning objectives
- Build a foundational understanding of what theory is and what role it plays in research
- Develop basic theorizing skills and be familiar with extant theorizing strategies
- Understand strategies to develop and publish own theoretical contributions
Overall, the course is designed to help students advance their understanding of theory and theorizing in the BISE / IS discipline and enhance their theorizing skills related to their own research and thesis work.
Be advised that the course is not intended to be a comprehensive or normative prescription of how to engage with theory and theorizing in research. It is rather aimed at encouraging and empowering young scholars to carefully pay attention to their theoretical contribution and their engagement with the extant knowledge in the field. This explicitly includes a critical reflection on the current state of theory in the IS and BISE field in order to help advance the current debates on the nature and role of theory and theorizing.
Date of Event: 18. – 21. of July 2017
Location: Hamburg
Lecturer:
Dr. Benjamin Mueller, Department of Innovation Management and Strategy, University of Groningen: http://www.rug.nl/staff/b.mueller/
Prof. Dorothy Leidner, PhD, Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University: http://business.baylor.edu/Dorothy_Leidner/
Registration: Please click on the link to open the registration form: http://vhbonline.org/veranstaltungen/prodok/anmeldung/anmeldeformular/ or send an email to prodok(at)vhbonline(dot)org.