A theoretical framework based on activity theory and structuration theory

Abstract

The last two decades have witnessed a surge of sociotechnical theories used to examine information systems (IS) research, attributable, to increase rigor. It, therefore, necessitates innovative ways and usefulness in applying the theories in IS research. Inevitably, it leads to complementarity of some of the theories, whereby, activity theory (AT) and actor-network theory (ANT), and structuration theory (ST) and ANT have been combined in IS studies, in recent years. Despite the efforts, there is a need for complementarity of more theories, to cover extended scopes and increase rigor in the phenomenon being studied. This paper proposes a theoretical framework that combines AT and ST, for data analysis and interpretation of findings in IS research. The paper advances the application of sociotechnical theories to underpin IS research through a theoretical framework that combines AT and ST’s dimension of change.