Network Analysis of Relations between Information System Theories and Researches

Attention to theorizing in information systems has been intensified in recent years, and consequently using these theories in research articles is going on. Knowing about the situation of applying these theories in recent decade can help researchers to find not only the most widely used theories, but the research gaps as well. In this regard, our study seeks to describe and analyze the actual situation of using IS theories in researches of this field in recent years. Statistical population in this research involves scientific articles, published in the world's top scientific journals in the field of IS and statistical sample includes the articles published between 2010-2016 in field of IS theories. Using social network analysis (SNA) technique, a network of relations between IS theories and articles applying them are depicted. The results show that game theory, argumentation theory, and complexity theory have the most usage; and by order technology acceptance model, prediction theory and structuration theory have the most coexistence in investigated articles. Also, studying of scientific fields from which IS theories have been adapted, shows that the field of IS has originated the most number of theories, and fields of sociology and psychology are at the next rates. The results of the research can influence the trend of theorizing in IS, by guiding researchers to concentrate on the applicability of theories.