Modes of Theory Integration

Abstract

IS, among other social sciences, have moved from a relative paucity of theories about social phenomenon to a a state of multiple, overlapping, and overly narrow theories. We offer three Modes for theory Integration that will enable researchers to better integrate theories and processes into internally coherent models within theories, across theories and between fields. The basis for integration are semantic similarity, nomological congruence and physical/functional/causal overlap. We develop a framework that will justify propositions for theory integration that can subsequently be tested for correspondence to real world phenomenon.