Putting People in the Center to Study Digital Experiences: A Review of Person-Centered Latent-Variable Approaches in Information Systems

Abstract

This article presents a systematic review of person-centered quantitative research in Information Systems (IS). Person-centered approaches group individuals into profiles and examine relationships across subpopulations, offering insights beyond the variable-centered approaches dominant in IS. Focusing on latent-variable techniques like latent class analysis and latent transition analysis, the review clarifies terminology, applications, and emerging trends. Findings reveal limited but increasing adoption in top IS outlets. This study aims to bridge disciplinary divides by clarifying methodological distinctions, and encourages greater adoption of person-centered approaches for studying latent group structures for developing more nuanced theories within the field.