Abstract:
This paper reflects on some significant trends and achievements in
Information Systems (IS) theorizing in Australia. Important themes identified
as typifying Australian eclecticism are (i) the influence of socio-technical thinking;
(ii) design and action approaches; (iii) critical theory research; (iv) emphasis
on theory and theoretical foundations; and (v) some unusual approaches
to theory. These themes are seen as emerging from Australia’s background as
an isolated, distant country with a low population density, and its identification
as a masculine, peaceful, democratic, and equalitarian society that is also
multi-cultural and technologically advanced. The Australian IS community is
seen to have some commonality with Scandinavia in that both are to some
extent “outsiders” in comparison with more prominent and powerful research
communities in Europe and North America. Value is seen in researchers in
both Scandinavia and Australia being able to “think differently”, taking lessons
from a number of traditions and being willing to find a new path and pioneer
new directions.
