Jason R. Simpson

Identity Metamorphoses in Digital Disruption: A Relational Theory of Identity

Digital technologies have disrupted a variety of organizations; however, Information Systems research has yet to explore in-depth why this may be occurring or the implications of this process for those involved. In this paper we present an exemplary case of digital technology disruption in a newspaper company – an organization in the midst of an identity crisis. On the basis of ethnographic data, we explore the changes that resulted from the introduction of the digital medium, and how this has led to the evolution of the newspaper, as well as the metamorphosis of identities of the company, the company’s practitioners, and the consumers of the company’s content. Our findings suggest that shifts in the evolutionary trajectory of an organization can be traced to the rate and nature of identity metamorphoses among its key actors. Hence, in order to navigate and adapt to digital disruptions, we argue that an ongoing strategic renegotiation of the identities of all the actors involved is not only possible, but is required for an organization’s survival. In doing so, we provide a relational theory of identity.

BEING BETWEEN WORLDS: INDIVIDUAL-SOCIETAL OPENNESS, EXPANSION, AND BECOMING THROUGH MEANINGFUL TECHNOLOGIES

As our society continues to become increasingly connected through technologies, we have also witnessed a concomitant rise in overall value through the resulting openness. Therefore, research has begun to focus on how to further increase the openness of technologies and their respective structures. Some research has already been directed toward this goal, however much of this research ignores the possibly necessary need for individuals to become more open. This study seeks to explore and understand the nature of openness in individuals within a technological context and hence provide a theoretical foundation and direction for future research, as well as mechanisms for increasing openness. First, this paper examines what it means to be open and closed through the lens of personal construct theory, and how personal construct psychologists nudge clients towards an individualcollective horizon that allows for alternative ways of construing (being open). Next, using empirical data, the paper illustrates how this process increases openness in general and can shift attitudes towards more open technologies. Finally, the paper discusses how this process could be put into technology design and semantically connected with other technologies in order to achieve the same result on a societal scale.