Toward a Theory ofIOIS Variance:A New Framework for StudyingInter-Organisational Information Systems

Observing that existing models of inter-organisational information systems (IOIS) have not been developedto explain IOIS variance, in this paper the authors develop three criteria a new theoretical framework shouldmeet: 1) It should support identification of and distinction between essential properties of IOIS; 2) it shouldexplain the resilience of IOIS, that is, why (properties of) IOIS persist in the face of environmental change; and3) it should offer a way of describing IOIS on organisational and collective levels, that is, the level of varioustypes of collectives of organisations, such as networks, associations or industries. This paper then assessesfour theories commonly used in IOIS studies (Transaction Cost Theory, Resource Dependence Theory, Neo-Institutionalism, and Structuration Theory) in view of these three criteria. Based on this discussion, the authorsdevelop a new framework for studying IOIS variance which views IOIS as constellations of aligned practices.