Explicating Individual Relationships with IS/IT and Uncovering Techno-identities Using Repertory Grid and Laddering to Core Constructs

This research-in-progress paper illustrates how technoidentologists can explicate relationships with IS/IT and uncover techno-identities in a single interview. The power of this approach lies in the ability to paint a more complete picture of users’ preferences for various IS/IT. This includes beginning with concrete IS/IT and ending with core constructs that represent purpose and/or meaning in life. Although prominent in Personal Construct Psychology, this approach is embryonic and not well understood in Information Systems. This paper seeks to pave a methodological way forward for technoidentologists by explicating this process, as doing so allows researchers the ability to link concrete IS/IT and core motivations, as well as to hone in on areas of divergence and convergence. Preliminary findings hold immense implications for IS subfields that may be backgrounding key aspects, that if understood, could have a ‘table turning’ effect on relations between industry and the academy.