Lessons from the Trenches of Metatriangulation Research

Saunders, Carol; Carte, Traci; Jasperson, Jon; Butler, Brian S.

doi:10.17705/1cais.01114

Cited by 14 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…Metatriangulation is particularly useful on topics where a rich repository of published research with contradictory, confusing, and fragmented results exists [5]. Thus, we decided to use this approach, since there are a large number of publications on digital COC, with a vast number of them having frequently inconsistent results and conflicting interpretations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This set of paradigm lenses appears to be suitable for our investigation since it provides a logical structure to examine and understand the changes in traditional collaboration patterns as the result of emergence of digital collaboration technology. Its value has been demonstrated in other metatriangulation reviews [5][6][7]. The three theoretical perspectives from the work of Markus and Robey [9] are briefly described in Table 1.…”

Section: Focus Paradigm Lensesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Digital Cross-Organizational Collaboration: A Metatriangulation Review

Madlberger

Roztocki

2010

2010 43rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences

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This paper presents a metatriangulation review on the topic of digital cross-organizational collaboration, defined as the integration of people, information systems, and processes across different organizations to accomplish a particular task by using digital means as an enabler. Using paradigm lenses adapted from Markus and Robey (1988), we examine 80 research papers published in six information systems journals between 2000 and 2007. The results of our analysis suggest that the theoretical view points (technological imperative, organizational imperative, and emergent perspective) substantially affect the unit of analysis and the selection of an underlying theory. Finally by reviewing conflicting results and inconsistent conclusions, we propose a framework which points to several research gaps and reveals possible research opportunities.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Focus Paradigm Lensesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Cross-Organizational Collaboration: A Metatriangulation Review

Madlberger

Roztocki

2010

2010 43rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences

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“…In the same way that traditional triangulation requires the collection of data from several different orientations, metatriangulation draws on multiple research perspectives to build a more complete understanding of a complex social phenomenon. Metatriangulation is a qualitative evaluation method that explores ‘variations in the assumptions of alternative paradigms, to gain insights into the multiple paradigms, and to address emerging themes and the resulting theories’ (Saunders et al ., , p. 5). It has been used to develop and evaluate theory and metatheory in a variety of areas including power in organizations (Jasperson et al ., ), communication and information technology (Saunders et al ., ; Adriaanse, ) and organizational geography (Del Casino et al ., ).…”

Section: Metatheoretical Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Metatriangulation is a qualitative evaluation method that explores ‘variations in the assumptions of alternative paradigms, to gain insights into the multiple paradigms, and to address emerging themes and the resulting theories’ (Saunders et al ., , p. 5). It has been used to develop and evaluate theory and metatheory in a variety of areas including power in organizations (Jasperson et al ., ), communication and information technology (Saunders et al ., ; Adriaanse, ) and organizational geography (Del Casino et al ., ). The method consists of three phases: Groundwork: in this phase, the research question, research domain and definitions are stated and research literature identified. Review and analysis: here, the metatheoretical lenses and their relationships are identified.…”

Section: Metatheoretical Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Metatheoretical Evaluation of Chaordic Systems Thinking

Edwards

2013

Syst. Res.

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This paper presents a metatheoretical evaluation of chaordic systems thinking (ChST) as it applies to organizational transformation. The diversity of approaches to transformation means that it is rich territory for metatheoretical research. ChST can be regarded as a metatheoretical attempt to integrate conceptual lenses so that a richer conceptualisation of transformation can be developed. ChST aims to be an integrative and innovative theoretical contribution to understanding change. How might these claims be evaluated? A metatheoretical method called metatriangulation is applied here to evaluate the ChST framework. A review and analysis of 20 ChST texts was performed and found that the approach shares several lenses with other theories of organizational transformation, but it also omits some important lenses and only partially described others. Recommendations for the further development of ChST are presented. Although important for developing novel insights, metatheoretical research is rarely performed systematically. This paper presents an original approach to building and evaluating overarching frameworks for organizational transformation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…My colleagues and I used metatriangulation to try to understand power theories in the IS literature from different viewpoints. We describe our application of metatriangulation in Saunders et al [2003]. Our original intent was to consider a variety of ways of looking at power.…”

Section: Building New Theory From Reference Discipline Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

ICIS 2008 Panel Report: IS Has Outgrown the Need for Reference Discipline Theories, or Has It?

Niederman¹,

Gregor²,

Grover³

et al. 2009

CAIS

Self Cite

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We view the current belief in reference discipline theories and their value in MIS research as exhibiting dominance in our field. This article is based on the panel discussion at the 2008 International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS) held in Paris, France. It examines why this dominance has the potential to harm the future prospects of our intellectual endeavors. In counterpoint, we present the argument that the use of reference disciplines should continue. Aside from the fact that the belief in the value of reference discipline is continued, there are benefits derived from anchoring research initiatives in reference discipline theories which should be acknowledged. Under certain situations such use should be encouraged and broadened. Additionally, we will present arguments for viable alternatives to relying on reference disciplines in theory building. The alternatives are aimed at building and expanding indigenous IS theory.Presenters agreed to take specific positions regarding the overall state of reference discipline theory in the IS domain. The presenters each took a deliberate position that may not have been in concert with their own personal views in order to foster the debate. Kalle Lyytinen presented the case for overuse of and problems from reference discipline theory. Varun Grover presented the case that significant benefits have been derived from use of reference discipline theory. Carol Saunders was charged with describing how future use of reference discipline theory might be extended and improved. Shirley Gregor focused on additional issues with reference discipline theory and alternatives available to the IS community. The discussion below presents the arguments delivered during the session, augmented by additional details and references. The conclusion incorporates ideas and positions that were emergent in the discussions initiated by audience participants and panel member responses. The paper closes with an initial synthesis of ideas regarding the topic. Clemson University. Varun has published more than 160 articles in refereed journals drawing from a number of reference disciplines. Numerous recent articles have ranked him among the top five researchers based on publications in major IS journals over the past decade. He currently serves as senior editor of MIS Quarterly, Journal of the AIS and DATABASE.Carol Stoak Saunders is professor of MIS at the University of Central Florida. She was inducted as an AIS Fellow and served as general conference chair of ICIS. She also served as editor-in-chief of MIS Quarterly from 2005-2007. Her research is published in leading MIS and management journals and draws heavily on theory, including her theories that have been published in Academy of Management Review.

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Lessons from the Trenches of Metatriangulation Research

Cited by 14 publications

References 76 publications

Digital Cross-Organizational Collaboration: A Metatriangulation Review

Digital Cross-Organizational Collaboration: A Metatriangulation Review

A Metatheoretical Evaluation of Chaordic Systems Thinking

ICIS 2008 Panel Report: IS Has Outgrown the Need for Reference Discipline Theories, or Has It?

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