This issue of MIS Quarterly includes a study in three parts (note that the actual order in the issue is different). The first part, "Developing an Historical Tradition in MIS Research," reviews the role that historical analyses have played in MIS research to date. It argues that historical studies are needed to fill in the epistemological gaps left by the extensive use of other research methods. A contingency framework is developed for use in conducting one type of historical study. The framework evolved out of the authors' research.
The second part, "The Bank of America: Crest and Trough of Technological Leadership," is a study that resulted from the application of the concepts described in the first part to an organization and industry that was revolutionized by innovative use of information technology. Although the framework used to describe some of the events grew out of the research at Bank of America and other sites, it is used here to structure the reporting of events. The study is a cautionary tale. It describes the path management used to establish technological leadership in its industry and how it failed to maintain it.
Part three, "An Historical Method for MIS Research: Steps and Assumptions," is a methodological piece. It describes some of the strengths and limitations of historical research as a means of gaining reliable knowledge. A general method for conducting MIS historical research is sketched out.
These three articles are largely self-contained and can be read in any order, although the sequence presented in this abstract provides useful background for reading each successive piece. Overall, the intent is to report on what has been done in a way that stimulates discussion on MIS research methods in general and historical methods in particular.
Abstract from MIS Quarterly. This page is maintained by Susan Scanlan, who can be reached at sscanlan@csom.umn.edu. It was last updated on September 15, 1997.