A Case for Applying Activity Theory in IS Research

摘要

The use of Activity Theory (AT) to underpin Information Systems (IS) research continues to increase. However, many challenges are implicitly associated with the theory. Access to the qualitative data needed is a significant issue. Other challenges emanate from the lack of examples or know-how, which discourages postgraduate students from selecting the theory, even though AT would have been the most appropriate approach for their research. This study was carried out from two perspectives: (i) qualitative data collection; and (ii) the use of AT as lens in qualitative IS research. The interpretivist approach was employed. The semi-structured technique was used to collect the data. The analysis of the data was conducted by following the hermeneutics technique from the interpretivist approach perspective. Based on the analysis of the data, two models were developed. The first model is intended to guide data collection, while the latter focuses on the use of AT to guide the analysis and interpretation of data in IS research.