Theorising forward: positioning deductive elaboration in the Information Systems research repertoire

European Journal of Information Systems · 2025

Keywords

literature-reviews

Abstract

Theorising plays a foundational role in Information Systems (IS) research. While the field has made important advances through theory borrowing, via adaptation and instantiation, as well as through contextualisation of established frameworks and models, comparatively little attention has been devoted to the elaboration of existing theories through structured, logic-driven approaches. This commentary problematises that imbalance and advances the concept of deductive theory elaboration as a valuable, yet underutilised, form of theorising in behavioural IS research. We define deductive theory elaboration as a process that extends existing theories by introducing conceptual modifications to their constructs, relationships, or boundary conditions prior to empirical testing. We distinguish this approach from related forms of theorising and propose a four-step framework supported by a repertoire of elaboration patterns for both variance and process theories. We also offer practical reporting guidelines to promote transparency and rigour in elaboration-based contributions. Our aim is to encourage more systematic elaboration efforts to enhance the precision, generalisability, and cumulative potential of IS theories, an optimistic vision of how behavioural IS research can evolve to meet the conceptual challenges of a rapidly transforming digital landscape.

Article / DOI link Open access PDF

Open access PDF

Citation (APA)

Paré, G., Wagner, G., Tate, M., Schryen, G., & Templier, M. (2025). Theorising forward: positioning deductive elaboration in the Information Systems research repertoire. European Journal of Information Systems. https://doi.org/10.1080/0960085X.2025.2550403

Citation: BibTeX

@article{PareWagnerTateEtA2025,
  doi        = {10.1080/0960085X.2025.2550403},
  author     = {Paré, Guy and Wagner, Gerit and Tate, Mary and Schryen, Guido and Templier, Mathieu},
  journal    = {European Journal of Information Systems},
  title      = {Theorising forward: positioning deductive elaboration in the Information Systems research repertoire},
  year       = {2025},
  url        = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0960085X.2025.2550403},
  abstract   = {Theorising plays a foundational role in Information Systems (IS) research. While the field has made important advances through theory borrowing, via adaptation and instantiation, as well as through contextualisation of established frameworks and models, comparatively little attention has been devoted to the elaboration of existing theories through structured, logic-driven approaches. This commentary problematises that imbalance and advances the concept of deductive theory elaboration as a valuable, yet underutilised, form of theorising in behavioural IS research. We define deductive theory elaboration as a process that extends existing theories by introducing conceptual modifications to their constructs, relationships, or boundary conditions prior to empirical testing. We distinguish this approach from related forms of theorising and propose a four-step framework supported by a repertoire of elaboration patterns for both variance and process theories. We also offer practical reporting guidelines to promote transparency and rigour in elaboration-based contributions. Our aim is to encourage more systematic elaboration efforts to enhance the precision, generalisability, and cumulative potential of IS theories, an optimistic vision of how behavioural IS research can evolve to meet the conceptual challenges of a rapidly transforming digital landscape.}
}

Citation: RIS

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Paré, Guy
AU  - Wagner, Gerit
AU  - Tate, Mary
AU  - Schryen, Guido
AU  - Templier, Mathieu
TI  - Theorising forward: positioning deductive elaboration in the Information Systems research repertoire
T2  - European Journal of Information Systems
PY  - 2025
DO  - 10.1080/0960085X.2025.2550403
UR  - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0960085X.2025.2550403
ER  -