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This paper examines the impact of key authors on Information Systems research from 1986 to 2005 and analyzes changes in influence and research interests over this period. The author set was based on publication counts in top Information Systems journals, supplemented on a reputational basis with authors recognized for their contribution to the field. Citation analysis was used to identify the most influential authors and to examine changes in influence across four five-year time periods. The results show that certain key authors have exerted strong influence throughout the twenty-year period, but that a new set of authors has begun to emerge in the last five years. In addition we note that, in spite of apparent similarities between the Information Science and Information Systems fields, the gulf between these two disciplines continues to be substantial, offering researchers on both sides of the divide a significant opportunity for greater integration of research results across the disciplines.

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relationship between historiography and archival practices. It takes the new social history approach to history as a case study for examining how historians' changing theories and methods may affect solicitation, acquisition, appraisal, arrangement, description, reference, outreach, and other aspects of archival administration.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a review of the archival and historical literature since the late 1970s.FindingsThe paper finds that many aspects of archival administration have been and continue to be affected by the new social history trend in historical scholarship. The paper suggests that archivists and archival educators be trained in historiography as a way to understand historians' craft and develop strong documentation strategies to anticipate future archival needs.Research limitations/implicationsBecause the paper is primarily a literature review, it does not test real‐life examples or case studies that would be useful in understanding the relationship between historians and archivists.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications for the development of archival administration and education strategies.Originality/valueThe paper draws from a range of literature to consider the impact of scholarly practices on professional archival work.