Demystifying the Paradox of Stability and Flexibility in Information Systems Design - An Affordance Perspective.

In the rapidly changing business and technology environment , the paradox of stability and flexibility in the design of information system s poses significant challenges . Whereas stability may improve efficiency, flexibility may stimulate opportunities . Although the literature recognize s the importance of both stability and flexibility , there is a lack of understanding of the tension between stability and flexibility ; especially, how they may jointly affect information system s design . Drawing from an affordance perspective, t his paper theorizes the mechanisms by which stability and flexibility interact . In particular, stability and flexibility may be manifested in functional and cognitive affordances . By comparing and contrasting various types of information systems , we show the dynamic relationship between stability and flexibility. In doing so, we contribute to a paradoxical theory of stability and flexibility in information systems design . This paper may inform the design, management, and use of information systems