Abstract Flow theory has been widely applied to understand user behaviour in the different phases of the information systems life cycle during last two decades. Nevertheless, its application is complicated due to issues and challenges related to the broad nature of information technology and human behaviour. Specifically, there is a lack of consensus on the conceptualization of flow in the IS context, and much uncertainty still exists about the key topics and the relationship between antecedents, dimensions and consequences of flow experience. However, a systematic review of how the flow phenomenon is conceptualized and operationalized within the IS life cycle has not been addressed yet. Therefore, studies based on the flow framework within the IS life cycle have mostly emerged without a research agenda and theoretical guidance. Aiming to fill this gap, this study systematically reviews flow studies related to three main phases of the life cycle of an IS, namely adoption, continuance and discontinuance. A total of 81 peer‐reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2019 were identified for analysis. The findings present a comprehensive view of literature by analysing characteristics of reviewed studies in terms of research methods, research contexts and popular theoretical lenses used with flow theory. Furthermore, the results show antecedents, dimensions and outcomes of flow that have been relatively well or under‐investigated. Finally, based on these findings, research gaps and directions for future research are provided.
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