A1 Journal article (refereed)
Splitting versus lumping : narrowing a theory’s scope may increase its value (2023)

Siponen, M., Klaavuniemi, T., & Xiao, Q. (2023). Splitting versus lumping : narrowing a theory’s scope may increase its value. European Journal of Information Systems, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/0960085x.2023.2208380

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Siponen, Mikko; Klaavuniemi, Tuula; Xiao, Quan

Journal or series: European Journal of Information Systems

ISSN: 0960-085X

eISSN: 1476-9344

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 03/05/2023

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0960085x.2023.2208380

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/88488

Abstract

Specialisation, by seeking theoretically deeper explanations or more accurate predictions, is common in the sciences. It typically involves splitting, where one model is further divided into several or even hundreds of narrow-scope models. The Information Systems (IS) literature does not discuss such splitting. On the contrary, many seminal IS studies report that a narrow scope is less strong, less interesting, or less useful than a wider scope. In this commentary, we want to raise the awareness of the IS community that in modern scientific progress, specialisation – an activity that generally narrows the scope and decreases the generalisability of a hypothesis – is important. The philosophy of science discusses such positive developments as splitting and trading off a wide scope in favour of accuracy. Narrowing the scope may increase value, especially in sciences where practical applicability is valued. If the IS community generally prefers a wider scope, then we run the risk of not having the information necessary to understand IS phenomena in detail. IS research must understand splitting, how it results in narrowing the scope, and why it is performed for exploratory or predictive reasons in variance, process, and stage models.

Keywords: specialisation; data systems

Free keywords: scope; unificationism; specialisation; IS philosophy; splitting; lumping

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3