Further reading on the case described in this lecture
Lehmann H., (2010) The Dynamics of International Information Systems Anatomy of a Grounded Theory Investigation, Springer, New York
Lehmann, H. and B. Gallupe, (2005) "Information systems for multinational enterprises?some factors at work in their design and implementation" Journal of international management 11 (2) pp163-186 lse members others
Urquhart C., H. Lehmann and M. D. Myers (2010) "Putting the 'theory' back into grounded theory: guidelines for grounded theory studies in information systems" Information systems journal 20 (4) pp. 357-381 lse members others
Theories indigenous to the information systems discipline are scarce. The Grounded Theory Method (GTM) specifically aims to create theory in domains where none are. But although its use in information systems research increased over the last two decades, the number of grounded theories created did not. This could be because either GTM is not “right” for the information systems discipline or that it is not “done right”. The paper investigates both options and concludes firstly that the method is “right”: it is a general method, capable of accepting any kind of data and works well with information systems, which are defined as actor networks of technology and people. There is, however, reason to suspect that GTM is not “done right”. What GTM’s core tenets are and how to apply them seems often misunderstood. Two core tenets are defined: (a) the specific rigour of its data collection and analysis; and (b) the maxim of only using concepts as the unit of analysis for developing grounded theory. In conclusion, GTM’s paradigmatic position (or, more accurately, its lack of one) is discussed.
Dr Hans Lehmann is the Associate Professor for Electronic Business at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. His 25 years of business experience with information technology, both in line management and as a consultant with Deloitte’s, spans work in continental Europe, Africa, the UK, North America and Australasia. In 1991 Dr Lehmann joined the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where he focused his research on the strategic management of global information technology. In 2002 he moved to Victoria University, where he has two current research interests. The first concerns the specialization in the application of wireless technology in business. The second concerns qualitative methodologies, mainly Grounded Theory and its possible adaptation/combination/integration with other methods such as Action Research and Delphi Study, so as to make it more suitable for the fast moving area of mobile business. He has well over 100 refereed publications to his name and has spoken at numerous international conferences. He is a graduate in psychology from the University of Vienna and the University of Natal, holds an MBA from the University of South Africa, and received his PhD in Information Systems from the University of Auckland.
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