Phenomenological Realism: A Pragmatic Lens for Information Systems Research

Abstract

The growing influence of the paradigm of Pragmatism on information systems (IS) research has resulted in some scholars arguing that the perspective should be regarded as an explicit research approach alongside established genre such as positivism and interpretivism. However this paper argues for a more general “pragmatic” perspective in qualitative information sys-tems research (QRIS) that encompasses different traditions. Engaging with the practical has a long history inside and outside of the IS domain and adopting such a position does not imply being an adherent of the philosophical doctrine of Pragmatism. The work proposes that Phenomenological Realism is an example of a pragmatic lens that synthesis two current themes found in the IS literature; Phenomenology and Realism, that could also qualify as an explicit QRIS paradigm. Furthermore, this line of thinking suggests that the present troika of positivism, interpretivism and critical is not cognisant of the landscape of current philosophical scholarship. Future work is called for to develop a repository to stimulate philosophical debate in the information systems discipline.