From semantics to pragmatics: where IS can lead in Natural Language Processing (NLP) research

Abstract

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is now widely integrated into web and mobile applications, enabling natural interactions between humans and computers. Although there is a large body of NLP studies published in Information Systems (IS), a comprehensive review of how NLP research is conceptualised and realised in the context of IS has not been conducted. To assess the current state of NLP research in IS, we use a variety of techniques to analyse a literature corpus comprising 356 NLP research articles published in IS journals between 2004 and 2018. Our analysis indicates the need to move from semantics to pragmatics. More importantly, our findings unpack the challenges and assumptions underlying current research trends in NLP. We argue that overcoming these challenges will require a renewed disciplinary IS focus. By proposing a roadmap of NLP research in IS, we draw attention to three NLP research perspectives and present future directions that IS researchers are uniquely positioned to address.