TY - GEN
T1 - Paradigm and pluralism
T2 - 14th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2008
AU - Somers, Mark John
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Concern that high levels of pluralism within IS have frustrated the development of a strong identity are evident in the literature. Rather than proposing an identity for IS, this paper uses theory and research from occupational sociology and the sociology of professions to analyze the processes involved in establishing boundaries for the field, for defining errors of inclusion and exclusion, and for shaping an IS identity. It is argued that prior work misapplies an organizational metaphor to IS and this misspecification excludes important processes in the evolution of professions including level of paradigm development, culture and control within professions, and the role of professions in social status hierarchies. The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges facing IS and suggestions for addressing them.
AB - Concern that high levels of pluralism within IS have frustrated the development of a strong identity are evident in the literature. Rather than proposing an identity for IS, this paper uses theory and research from occupational sociology and the sociology of professions to analyze the processes involved in establishing boundaries for the field, for defining errors of inclusion and exclusion, and for shaping an IS identity. It is argued that prior work misapplies an organizational metaphor to IS and this misspecification excludes important processes in the evolution of professions including level of paradigm development, culture and control within professions, and the role of professions in social status hierarchies. The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges facing IS and suggestions for addressing them.
KW - IS identity
KW - Occupations and professions
KW - Paradigm development
KW - Socialization
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84870326672&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84870326672
SN - 9781605609539
T3 - 14th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2008
SP - 2216
EP - 2223
BT - 14th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2008
Y2 - 14 August 2008 through 17 August 2008
ER -