An exploratory study of information technology diffusion in an engineering firm: a sense making and social capital perspective
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2006
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Abstract
Diffusion processes, in general, are at the heart of all major changes in strategy, new business formations and many other change programs initiated in firms. Even though research in IT diffusion has been extensive, failure rates continue to be higher than 50% on average. Prior diffusion research has focused on great methodological rigor to reveal tangible measures using static models but has failed to improve diffusion success rates overall. Traditional IS research has emphasized organizational decision-making and control and systems theory at the expense of the technology itself. Alternative IS theories have emphasized the technology whilst simplifying the organizational context. This study proposes that a process theory may provide better insights into IT diffusions in the context of an engineering firm, informed by social capital and sense making theoretical perspectives. It is based upon a real-time study of an information systems diffusion in three branches (in the U.K., U.S. and Canada) of a multi-national engineering firm. The process model suggests that location-specific antecedents combined with location dynamics drive new systems diffusion. Antecedents such as project requirements, current types of systems in use, historical trust between offices and the branch work environment may be conducive to social capital creation or destruction and may favour or hinder diffusion. Sense making processes related to the characteristics of the new information system may enhance or impede diffusion enacted through social capital processes. Hence, a process theory of technology diffusion using social capital and sense making theoretical perspectives can reveal the dynamics of why a particular IT diffusion succeeds or fails in an engineering firm. I develop several testable propositions based upon the findings of this study.
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Bibliography: p. 133-140
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Vallally, L. J. (2006). An exploratory study of information technology diffusion in an engineering firm: a sense making and social capital perspective (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/1603