Context May Be King, but Generalizability Is the Emperor!

Journal of Information Technology, Volume 31, Issue 3, pp 257–264, DOI: 10.1057/s41265-016-0005-7, September 2016

Fox School of Business Research Paper No. 16-032

12 Pages Posted: 1 Nov 2016 Last revised: 15 Nov 2016

See all articles by Aaron Cheng

Aaron Cheng

London School of Economics - Department of Management

Angelika Dimoka

University of Miami Herbert Business School

Paul A. Pavlou

University of Miami Herbert Business School

Date Written: September 1, 2016

Abstract

The relative importance of context and generalizability (or particularism and universalism) has long been debated in scientific research. Recently, Davison and Martinsons raised valid concerns about the possibility of false universalism in IS research, discussed its negative consequences, and made a call for explicitly including particularism in research design and reporting. In this commentary, we generally agree with the notion that context should matter more in IS research; yet, the importance of generalizability in research should not be downplayed. Specifically, we posit that generalizability should be given higher position in the scientific process and be the ultimate goal for researchers. Still, researchers need to fully understand the research context, which, in combination and replication, can help to cautiously make generalizable knowledge claims. Therefore, we characterize the relationship between context and generalizability as that of a “King” (as an analogy of the local role of context) versus the “Emperor” (as an analogy of the global role of generalizability).

Keywords: Generalizability, Universalism, Particularism, Context, IS research

Suggested Citation

Cheng, Zhi (Aaron) and Dimoka, Angelika and Pavlou, Paul A., Context May Be King, but Generalizability Is the Emperor! (September 1, 2016). Journal of Information Technology, Volume 31, Issue 3, pp 257–264, DOI: 10.1057/s41265-016-0005-7, September 2016, Fox School of Business Research Paper No. 16-032, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2862059

Zhi (Aaron) Cheng (Contact Author)

London School of Economics - Department of Management ( email )

Houghton Street
London, WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

Angelika Dimoka

University of Miami Herbert Business School ( email )

P.O. Box 248126
Florida
Coral Gables, FL 33124
United States

Paul A. Pavlou

University of Miami Herbert Business School ( email )

P.O. Box 248126
Florida
Coral Gables, FL 33124
United States

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