New approaches to studying information technology: Escaping the organizational straightjacket

Abstract

The information systems (IS) field has been constrained by organizational studies (OS) for far too long. Although the close relationship between IS and OS has produced fruitful results, the prevalence of IT and its ever-widening impact at all levels of society requires that the IS field escape its organizational straightjacket and embrace new foundations. This research presents a foundation for new approaches towards studying IT that not only recognizes the critical role that technology plays, but also recognizes how information in IT brings new meaning into society.