The Role of History in Information Systems Research: Beyond Presentism

The aim of this chapter is to stimulate the contribution that historical awareness may add to the field of information systems (IS) research. Despite the offerings from the study of history, the IS community has not developed a strong tradition of historical research (Land, 2010; Mitev & de Vaujany, 2012; see also a special issue on history in IS research, Bryant et al., 2013). Arguably, the adoption of historical sensitivity and awareness is especially pertinent in a field that is often driven by the “awesome potential” of advanced information and communication technologies. All too frequently, we lose sight of some of the difficulties that are being posed as we are seduced by new technology, and the field of IS especially can suffer from presentism (see Hartog’s chapter in this book). The acquisition of a historical consciousness may enable the evaluation of these changes within their historical context and origins. Quite often superficial changes are focused upon by the management consultancy “change industry”, and so concepts and themes are often repackaged several years later (Westrup, 2005), with little awareness as to how these recent trends compare with similar developments in the past.