Grounding systems research: re-establishing grounded theory

In the field of information systems (IS) there has been a growing trend away from a technical view of systems (with the system literally seen primarily in terms of the physical devices), to one that seeks to account for nontangible aspects such as cognition, culture, motivation and so on. This is not to say that these latter orientations are dominant or predominant. But there is now an established, resilient and articulate counterposition exemplified by various IS journals. Research methods are developing in a similar fashion with an increasing use of qualitative methods. One method that is gaining increasing popularity in the systems area is the grounded theory method originated by B.G. Glaser and A.L. Strauss (1967). There are some profound problems with this approach, in particular the unproblematic conceptualization of data, and a level of methodological flexibility that can degenerate into methodological indifference and result in superficial and ambiguous conclusions. The paper argues that the method is not indelibly stamped with these failings and inconsistencies; it seeks to draw general lessons from the grounded theory method and other aspects of the discussion with regard to the study of systems and organizations in particular.