Synthesizing information systems knowledge: A typology of literature reviews

• We proposed a typology of nine review types based on seven core dimensions.
• The number of reviews in top-ranked IS journals has increased between 1999 and 2013.
• Theoretical and narrative reviews are the most prevalent types in top IS journals.
• We found inconsistencies in the labels used by authors to qualify IS reviews.
• A majority of IS reviews reported only scholars as their target audience.

In this article we develop a typology of review types and provide a descriptive insight into the most common reviews found in top IS journals. Our assessment reveals that the number of IS reviews has increased over the years. The majority of the 139 reviews are theoretical in nature, followed by narrative reviews, meta-analyses, descriptive reviews, hybrid reviews, critical reviews, and scoping reviews. Considering the calls for IS research to develop a cumulative tradition, we hope more review articles will be published in the future and encourage researchers who start a review to use our typology to position their contribution.