0000000000643170
AUTHOR
Jan Damsgaard
Hong Kong’s EDI bandwagon Derailed or on the right track?
In this paper we explore the adoption of a complex networked technology — that of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) — in the context of Hong Kong. EDI forms a complex and interorganizational innovation and therefore we suggest a multi-theoretical framework to examine its diffusion. The framework takes into account institutional, industry specific and organizational factors in the study of diffusion processes and thus extends the analysis beyond organizational borders. Using the framework we deliver an account of the EDI diffusion in Hong Kong based on field study data. The study clarifies how simultaneous organizational, industry and environmental factors can be brought to bear to understan…
What’s Wrong with the Diffusion of Innovation Theory?
This paper examines the usefulness of the diffusion of innovation research in developing theoretical accounts of the adoption of complex and networked IT solutions. We contrast six conjectures underlying DOI research with field data obtained from the study of the diffusion of EDI. Our analysis shows that DOI based analyses miss some important facets in the diffusion of complex technologies. We suggest that complex IT solutions should be understood as socially constructed and learning intensive artifacts, which can be adopted for varying reasons within volatile diffusion arenas. Therefore DOI researchers should carefully recognize the complex, networked, and learning intensive features of te…
Contours of diffusion of electronic data interchange in Finland
Abstract Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)—despite its basic simplicity—forms a complex and inter-organizational innovation. This necessitates multiple points of observation and the use of multiple theoretical frames in accounting EDI diffusion processes. Based on field study data we deliver a multi-level account of EDI diffusion in Finland. The study clarifies how factors located on three levels of analysis can be applied to understand the unfolding of EDI adoption in different organizational constellations, here called diffusion patterns. We examine three families of diffusion patterns: local dyadic patterns; industry-wide networks; and national initiatives. Overall we discern five distin…