Is the Philosophy of the Information Systems Discipline Informed by the Arts and Humanities?

Abstract

The Information Systems discipline (IS) is usually regarded as a social science because it includes research on human-related aspects of these systems. However, a limited number of IS research outputs use approaches that are typical of the traditional arts and humanities. Little recognition has been given to the arts and humanities-informed stream of the IS discipline. This article aims to clarify the subtle distinctions between these scientific constellations and IS’s place in it. It highlights the cluster of arts, humanities and IS in the inter-linked world of scientific disciplines and makes some recommendations to build further on these accomplishments.