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Positioning the institutional perspective in information systems research

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Formulating Research Methods for Information Systems

Abstract

In recent years, a number of studies have adopted institutional theory as a perspective for examining Information Systems (IS)/Information Technology (IT)-related phenomena such as IT innovation, IS development and implementation, and IT adoption and use. The objective of this paper is to take stock of how institutional theory is being used in IS research. To this end, it first proposes a conceptual framework to encapsulate the main concepts of institutional theory. Second, it synthesizes the findings of 53 articles that adopted an institutional perspective to study IS/IT phenomena. Finally, it identifies conceptual and methodological issues that researchers need to address when adopting an institutional perspective.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    Muriel Mignerat

  2. HEC Montreal, Montreal, Canada

    Suzanne Rivard

Authors
  1. Muriel Mignerat
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  2. Suzanne Rivard
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. London School of Economics and Political Science, UK

    Leslie P. Willcocks

  2. University of Oxford, UK

    Chris Sauer

  3. University of Missouri, USA

    Mary C. Lacity

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© 2015 Journal of Information Technology (JIT)

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Mignerat, M., Rivard, S. (2015). Positioning the institutional perspective in information systems research. In: Willcocks, L.P., Sauer, C., Lacity, M.C. (eds) Formulating Research Methods for Information Systems. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137509888_4

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