Title

Digital First: The Ontological Reversal and New Challenges for IS Research

Authors

Richard L. Baskerville, Georgia State UniversityFollow
Michael D. Myers, University of Auckland Business SchoolFollow
Youngjin Yoo, Case Western Reserve UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2019

Abstract

The classical view of an information system is that it represents and reflects physical reality. We suggest this classical view is increasingly obsolete: digital technologies are now creating and shaping physical reality. We call this phenomenon the ontological reversal. The ontological reversal is where the digital version is created first, and the physical version second (if needed). This ontological reversal challenges us to think about the role of humans and technology in society. It also challenges us to think about our role as IS scholars in this digital world and what it means for our research agendas.

Comments

The archived and publisher version may slightly differ due to copyediting.

Published in:

Baskerville RL, Myers MD, Youngjin Yo. Digital First: The Ontological Reversal and New Challenges for Information Systems Research. MIS Quarterly. 2020;44(2):509-523. doi:10.25300/MISQ/2020/14418

Recommended Citation

Baskerville RL, Myers MD, Youngjin Yo. Digital First: The Ontological Reversal and New Challenges for Information Systems Research. MIS Quarterly. 2020;44(2):509-523. doi:10.25300/MISQ/2020/14418