Combining variance and process in information systems research: Hybrid approaches

For the most part, research in Information Systems has been conducted following either a process or a variance approach. Some argue that the two approaches should be kept separate because they have different underlying assumptions. Others disagree. Through problematization, we review the distinctions between process and variance approaches and examine such distinctions to show that these approaches sometimes overlap and can be combined. We then present a new set of assumptions for hybrid approaches and specifically distinguish between three types of combinations or hybrids, parallel, weakly blended, and strongly blended. We then introduce a toolbox for modeling hybrid approaches in a coherent way followed by an example on how to use the toolbox. We end the article by providing reasons for considering hybrid approaches, possible areas of research, and a set of guidelines for authors and review teams.