Digital Infrastructures: The Missing IS Research Agenda.

Author List: Tilson, David; Lyytinen, Kalle; SËrensen, Carsten;
Information Systems Research, 2010, Volume 21, Issue 4, Page 748-759.
Since the inauguration of information systems research (ISR) two decades ago, the information systems (IS) field's attention has moved beyond administrative systems and individual tools. Millions of users log onto Facebook, download iPhone applications, and use mobile services to create decentralized work organizations. Understanding these new dynamics will necessitate the field paying attention to digital infrastructures as a category of IT artifacts. A state-of-the-art review of the literature reveals a growing interest in digital infrastructures but also confirms that the field has yet to put infrastructure at the centre of its research endeavor. To assist this shift we propose three new directions for IS research: (1) theories of the nature of digital infrastructure as a separate type of IT artifact, sui generis; (2) digital infrastructures as relational constructs shaping all traditional IS research areas; (3) paradoxes of change and control as salient IS phenomena. We conclude with suggestions for how to study longitudinal, large-scale sociotechnical phenomena while striving to remain attentive to the limitations of the traditional categories that have guided IS research.
Keywords: control points; digital infrastructure; generativity; IS research agenda; IT artifact
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#21 0.208 research information systems science field discipline researchers principles practice core methods area reference relevance conclude set focus propose perspective inquiry
#279 0.153 field work changes new years time change major period year end use past early century half traditional areas established strong
#122 0.134 attention utilization existing codification model received does limitations theories receiving literature paying causes additional building examine examination focusing technological initial
#178 0.133 digital divide use access artifacts internet inequality libraries shift library increasingly everyday societies understand world initiative initiatives embedded community dimensions
#16 0.127 infrastructure information flexibility new paper technology building infrastructures flexible development human creating provide despite challenge possible resources specific advances developing
#107 0.104 app brand mobile apps paid utility facebook use consumption users brands effects activities categories patterns controls extension store positive factor
#181 0.060 outcomes theory nature interaction theoretical paradox versus interpersonal literature provides individual levels understanding dimensions addition foundation various understand productivity work