Rethinking systems use in information systems research – theories on individuals’ use of multiple information systems

While individuals use multiple information systems (IS) every day, research on IS use predominantly investigates use with respect to only one information system at a time. In light of this “single-IS paradigm” (Gerlach & Cenfetelli, 2022), theoretical and empirical insights into the nature and behavioral manifestations of multiple IS use remain limited. To advance the discipline’s understanding of the multiple IS use reality, this dissertation theorizes mechanisms that are idiosyncratic to the context of individuals’ multiple IS use. Based on grounded theory methodology and interview data from individuals using multiple IS, this dissertation contributes two theories on multiple IS use in two essays. The first essay introduces an analytical theory of eight different interdependencies-in-use as core mechanisms that emerge as users engage with multiple IS. The second essay builds on these interdependencies-in-use and examines how one type of interdependency manifests in behavior. The resulting process theory explains a behavioral phenomenon resulting from multiple IS use: users transferring usage behaviors from one IS to another. This dissertation contributes a theoretical framework for conceptualizing multiple IS use with its underlying mechanisms that enable future research to systematically investigate multiple IS use and related phenomena. It further enriches insights on usage behavior by a multiple IS perspective, indicating that multiple IS use contexts give rise to unique behavioral dynamics. With that, the current conversation in IS use research that focuses on single IS use is extended with new theoretical insights on the use of multiple IS. The dissertation offers additional recommendations for practitioners to consider the interdependent way individuals use multiple IS.

Level thesis:degree_level

thesis.doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher

Universität Passau

Year

2025

Author dc:creator

• Kochendörfer, Laura

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gerlach, Jin
• Widjaja, Thomas

• Information systems
• IS use
• Interdependence
• multiple IS use

Statement dc:rights

• Standardbedingung laut Einverständniserklärung

Repository record source_url

https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-uni-passau/frontdoor/index/index/docId/2016

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:kobv.de-opus4-uni-passau:2016