On the Methodological and Philosophical Challenges of Sociomaterial Theorizing: An Overview of Competing Conceptualizations

This panel discusses how to take the ontological paradigm of Sociomateriality to the field using alternative theoretical lenses that embody sociomaterial ideas. Based on exemplary papers, Samer Faraj, Karlheinz Kautz, Daniel Robey, and Ulrike Schultze present the advantages of the lens they have drawn on to inform their empirical research. Through their discussion the panelists illustrate how they designed their studies accordingly and defend why their approach allows them to make empirical observations of the Sociomaterial. Informed by this comparative debate, the audience gains insights into the panelists’ experiences with conducting, writing, and editing Sociomaterial research. The audience will thus understand the methodological differences of the alternative lenses as well as important commonalities that make a study sociomaterial. As a key takeaway, the panel provides guidance on how to contribute to sociomaterial theorizing, thus supporting the recent trend towards Sociomateriality in the IS research community.