Interpretive case studies in IS research: nature and method
Abstract
There has been an increase in recent years in the number of in-depth case studies which focus on human actions and interpretations surrounding the development and use of computer-based information systems (IS). This paper addresses philosophical and theoretical issues concerning the nature of such interpretive case studies, and methodological issues on the conduct and reporting of this type of research. The paper aims to provide a useful reference point for researchers who wish to work in the interpretive tradition, and more generally to encourage careful work on the conceptualisation and execution of case studies in the information systems field.
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To minimize salience bias and maintain critical distance, the transcriptions were cross-checked with the second author and a shared meaning was generated through multiple interactions with empirical data, theory, and the emergent coding schema.
“On the other hand, to minimize salience bias as well as to maintain a critical distance between the personal use of Slack apps and integrations of the researchers and the views of interviewees, we cross-checked the transcriptions with the second author (not an active user of enterprise messengers) and generated a shared meaning through multiple interactions in which we engaged back and forth with”
From How affordances of chatbots cross the chasm between social and traditional enterprise systems (2020) · cites this paper as Walsham 1995
Cites
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“We have conducted an in-depth, qualitative case study based on the interpretive research paradigm (Walsham, 1995).”
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“As Walsham (1995, 2006) discussed, socially constructed knowledge in IS requires an interpretive approach to inquiry; this renders its interpretation as subjective and value-laden (Galal, 2001).”
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“…methodological choice of a case study highly depends on the object to be studied (Stake and E. 1995), and is therefore more relevant to discuss as an approach to study a speci fi c phenomenon in a real-life context (Islind et al. 2019; Yin Robert 2017), which is unique in some sense (Walsham 1995).”
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- Authors
- Walsham, G.
- Affiliations
- Lancaster University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Walsham, G
- ORCID
- Walsham, G
- Venue
- European Journal of Information Systems
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1995-05
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 74-81
- ISSN
- 0960-085X (ISSN-L)
- 1476-9344
- OpenAlex
- W2050401924
- Cited by
- 3,834
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 112 · 2025: 99 · 2024: 111 · 2023: 135 · 2022: 129 · 2021: 160 · 2020: 166 · 2019: 152 · 2018: 171 · 2017: 155 · 2016: 150 · 2015: 199 · 2014: 249 · 2013: 232 · 2012: 210
- FWCI
- 46.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Information Systems (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Information Systems Theories and Implementation
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Business and Management Studies
- Keywords
- information systems research methodology, philosophical foundations of research, research reporting, computer-based information systems
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