Developing an Historical Tradition in MIS Research.

Author List: Mason, Richard O.; McKenney, James L.; Copeland, Duncan G.;

MIS Quarterly, 1997, Volume 21, Issue 3, Page 257-278.

MIS as a discipline has not yet developed a tradition of historical research, Historical analyses broaden our understanding of the processes by which information technology is introduced into organizations and of the forces that shape its use. Paramount among these processes are those Schumpeter called "creative destruction." These are events that change entire organizations and industries. The end product of a Schumpeterian process is called a "dominant design," a new configuration of an organization's technology, strategy, and structure. A dominant design is manifested in several ways: a new organizational infrastructure, new functionality, new products, new services, new production functions, or new cost structures. By changing the basis of competition in the industry, a firm that institutes a dominant design secures an initial competitive edge. Although the understanding of these processes is central to the concerns of many researchers and practitioners in the field, the information systems research literature contains very few examples of historical analyses of this type. A contingency framework is developed for conducting a class of information technology-based historical studios that focuses on innovation and competition within an industry.

Keywords: History; management information systems; strategy

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List of Topics

#35	0.205	technology organizational information organizations organization new work perspective innovation processes used technological understanding technologies transformation consequences perspectives use administrative economic
#16	0.203	infrastructure information flexibility new paper technology building infrastructures flexible development human creating provide despite challenge possible resources specific advances developing
#44	0.158	approach analysis application approaches new used paper methodology simulation traditional techniques systems process based using proposed method present provides various
#21	0.116	research information systems science field discipline researchers principles practice core methods area reference relevance conclude set focus propose perspective inquiry
#242	0.094	market competition competitive network markets firms products competing competitor differentiation advantage competitors presence dominant structure share using incumbent make important
#29	0.061	industry industries firms relative different use concentration strategic acquisitions measure competitive examine increases competition influence result characteristics mergers industry-level functions