Abstract
Contingency theory, which originated in organizational theory, has been utilized in information systems (IS) research for the past 25 years. This theory is based on two central findings: First, there is not one best way to organize or manage a firm. Second, each specific method a firm could choose to organize or manage is not equally effective (Galbraith 1973). IS researchers have utilized the primary contingency theory variables of environment; technology, structure, and management effectiveness in their study of important topics; which include systems planning, systems design, systems implementation, performance, user involvement, and Internet adoption. This chapter describes the main contingency theory constructs which are used in IS research and the seminal work in organizational theory; the primary research methods; and lastly, the limitations of contingency theory.
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Notes
- 1.
The early literature was not referred to as IS. The research concentrated on the topics that were pertinent during the time frame: Management Information Systems, Accounting Information Systems, and Electronic Data Processing. These items still remain separate areas of study today, except EDP; however, they all were subsumed under the umbrella of IS.
- 2.
Performance and effectiveness are used interchangeably throughout the paper as a measurement of success at the systems level or the organizational level.
Abbreviations
- AIS:
-
Accounting information systems
- EDP:
-
Electronic data processing
- IS:
-
Information systems
- IT:
-
Information technology
- MIS:
-
Management information systems
- SEM:
-
Structural equation modeling
- SME:
-
Small/medium enterprise
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Reinking, J. (2012). Contingency Theory in Information Systems Research. In: Dwivedi, Y., Wade, M., Schneberger, S. (eds) Information Systems Theory. Integrated Series in Information Systems, vol 28. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6108-2_13
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