Strategic risk positioning as sensemaking in crisis: the adoption of electronic trading at the London international financial futures and options exchange

In this paper we describe a period of strategic crisis (1997–2000) at the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE) precipitated by the loss of a key benchmark product from their manual trading environment to an electronic trading platform (DTB/Eurex). Using Bower and Christensen's (1995a) notion of disruptive technology, our analysis starts by examining the response of major international financial futures exchanges and considers why the industry incumbents ignored the potential threat from electronic trading for so long. Widening our focus to examine responses from the broader financial market community to these events, we then embed LIFFE's story in the organizational literature on sensemaking. This provides the theory of disruptive technology with an analysis of the meaning-making processes surrounding it and provides evidence for an empirically grounded form of sensemaking, which we call strategic risk positioning. Our findings are of interest both to practitioners in incumbent organizations responsible for managing potential threats from new entrants and academics attempting to develop theoretical tools to provide support during strategic crises associated with new technology adoption.     

What does computer support for cooperative work mean? a structurational analysis of computer supported cooperative work

Technical developments in electronic communication and computing coupled with new understanding of relationships between computers and work processes has given impetus to a significant amount of research in the area of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). Much of this work, however, lacks strong theoretical foundations, and there is no clear definition of CSCW, the major research questions of the field, or appropriate strategies for research. In this paper we suggest Giddens' theory of structuration as a conceptual foundation for CSCW research and propose a formal definition for CSCW. We conclude by discussing seven implications of the framework for future research into: (a) platform software features, (b) research methods, (c) systems development approaches, (d) features of CSCW development methodologies, (e) interactions between CSCW use processes and organizational structures, (f) interactions between work processes and CSCW applications, and (g) larger social change due to adoption of CSCW applications.     

Electronic Commerce Customer Relationship Management: A Research Agenda

In this paper, we approach electronic commerce Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) from the perspective of five research areas. Our purpose is to define a conceptual framework to examine the relationships among and between these five research areas within e-CRM and to propose how they might be integrated to further research this area. We begin with a discussion of each of the research areas through brief reviews of relevant literature for each and a discussion of the theoretical and strategic implications associated with some CRM technologies and research areas. Next we present our framework, which focuses on e-CRM from the five research perspectives. We then present a theoretical framework for e-CRM in terms of the five research areas and how they affect one another, as well as e-CRM processes and both performance and non-performance outcomes.     

A community-based approach to sharing knowledge before,during, and after crisis events: A case study from Thailand

This study adopts a structuration perspective to examine the knowledge sharing activities within local communities using social media to combat the 7-month 2011 Thai flood crisis using a qualitative case study. The crisis represented a unique situation wherein social media was used extensively during the most catastrophic flood crisis in Thailand. Data were collected from focus groups and in-depth interviews with flood victims, community leaders, NGOs, politicians, large enterprises, and Army leaders. The study divides the crisis event into three phases: pre-, during-, and post-crisis, treating each as both separate and interrelated, due to the changing information needs. The socialization and structuration theories were used as theoretical lenses to investigate how social media can play an important role in knowledge sharing activities in each phase of a crisis. The case study shows that social media can be adapted to fit the information and knowledge needs in each phase. This study's findings are useful and relevant for crisis managers, and clarify the potential usefulness of social media as a knowledge sharing tool during a crisis.     

E-business and organizational change: a structurational approach

Abstract.  Although e-business is a familiar part of the organizational landscape, its implementation remains a problem for large traditional organizations. This paper argues that the pervasiveness of e-business calls for the adoption of an organizational change perspective to study its implementation. Using structuration theory, the paper analyzes a detailed case study of the implementation of a major e-business initiative in a traditional automotive manufacturer. It shows how a combination of structural contradictions and unexpected consequences derailed the initiative.     

Adoption and impact of collaboration electronic marketplaces

This paper reviews and assesses several theoretical perspectives on one type of business-to-business electronic marketplace—collaboration marketplaces. Whereas transaction-oriented marketplaces are characterized by catalogs, auctions or exchanges, and support for negotiated pricing, collaboration marketplaces are characterized by planning capabilities such as continuous planning, forecasting, and replenishment or product life-cycle management. Collaboration marketplaces have different benefits than transaction-oriented marketplaces and different adoption considerations. Therefore, theoretical frameworks such as transaction cost theory, which apply quite well to transaction-oriented marketplaces, provide only a partial explanation of collaboration marketplace adoption. We compare alternative theoretical perspectives on collaboration marketplaces and discuss their implications for future research.     

Contours of diffusion of electronic data interchange in Finland: Overcoming technological barriers and collaborating to make it happen

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 distinct diffusion patterns. The analysis of the five patterns demonstrates that EDI diffusion is a complex interplay of organizational, industry and institutional factors. On the theory plane our study calls for the need to orchestrate multi-level approaches to study the diffusion of complex, and networked technologies.     

Applying an organizational learning perspective to new technology deployment by technological gatekeepers: A theoretical model and key issues for future research

Organizations often under-utilize expensive information technology (IT) enabled work processes that automate routines or processes that were previously carried out manually. One reason for this phenomenon may lie in the types of decisions made by technological gatekeepers, who are key individuals charged with deploying new technologies in organizations. From an organizational learning perspective, technological gatekeepers are more likely to perform successfully when they make appropriate decisions about exploring or exploiting the routines associated with a new technology. The factors that influence gatekeepers’ decisions about exploration or exploitation, however, are still largely unexplored. In this study, we present a model based on the basic technology acceptance model (TAM) to examine this issue. We use concepts from the literatures on organizational learning, expertise, and cognitive styles to elaborate on the constructs in our model, and examine how these literatures can inform our understanding of technological gatekeepers’ decisions. The goal of this paper is to accelerate micro-level research on new technology deployment in organizations by identifying some key issues and propositions for future studies.     

Managing the introduction of information security awareness programmes in organisations

Several studies explore information security awareness focusing on individual and/or organisational aspects. This paper argues that security awareness processes are associated with interrelated changes that occur at the organisational, the technological and the individual level. We introduce an integrated analytical framework that has been developed through action research in a public sector organisation, comprising actor-network theory (ANT), structuration theory and contextualism. We develop and use this framework to analyse and manage changes introduced by the implementation of a security awareness programme in the research setting. The paper illustrates the limitations of each theory (ANT, structuration theory and contextualism) to study multi-level changes when used individually, demonstrates the synergies of the three theories, and proposes how they can be used to study and manage awareness-related changes at the individual, organisational and technological level.     

A study of the institutional forces influencing the adoption intention of RFID by suppliers

We extended the application of Roger's model for evaluating the institutional forces influencing the adoption intention of RFID by retailer's suppliers. Drawing on institutional theory, we examined how different institutional forces experienced by retailer's suppliers were related to their relational investment on inter-organizational information sharing. Data collected from 130 major Taiwanese suppliers was used in our empirical analyses. We found that relational investment was the most critical adoption factor, which also indirectly enhanced organizational readiness for technological adoption intention. From a Taiwanese perspective, our findings should be helpful in understanding what factors significantly impact the adoption of RFID technology.     

Structuration bridging diffusion of innovations and gender relations theories: a case of paradigmatic pluralism in IS research

This paper discusses the adoption of a pluralist theoretical framework – one that is also multiparadigmatic – for conducting and publishing information system (IS) research. The discussion is illustrated by a single case study involving the Australian cotton industry. The theoretical framework is informed by three sociological theories, each with its particular paradigmatic assumptions: structuration theory as a meta‐theory, and diffusion of innovations and gender relations as lower‐level theories from notionally opposing paradigms. Theoretical pluralism helped to produce rich findings, illuminating both the social nature of women farmers' roles, the materiality of the cotton farming context, the characteristics of the decision support systems in use and the recursive way in which human agency and institutional pressures shape each other. Because users of so‐called divergent paradigms often face criticism based on the incommensurability issue, one of the main contributions of this paper is to discuss the value of a pluralist and multiparadigmatic theoretical framework in dealing with complex IS social phenomena.     

Effects of cognitive and social factors on system utilization and performance outcomes

This study examines the effects of cognitive and social factors on system utilization and performance outcomes. The literature has paid considerable attention to social influence as a determinant of individual behavior. We combine the concept of task-technology fit with concepts from adaptive structuration theory to elucidate social influence. In our model, we propose that support from a proper social construction in addition to task-technology fit leads in performance improvement in individuals. Empirical data from 317 individuals across 43 teams in ten companies are used to assess the theoretical model. Our theoretical model is supported by the data.     

Adoption of open source software in organizations: A socio-cognitive perspective

Open source software (OSS) is an important trend in the information technology adoption landscape. It has received considerable attention in the scientific literature, but mostly in the professional press. In fact, there is much debate over its actual commercial and organizational value. Since the public discourse accompanying an IT may influence adoption decisions, it is important to consider IT specialists’ perceptions of the discourse on OSS. In this study, we investigated the relationship between IT specialists’ profiles, IT specialists’ reception of the public discourse on OSS, and their organizations’ receptivity to OSS. Drawing on the socio-cognitive perspective of IT innovation adoption and the organizing vision theory, a survey of 271 IT specialists was conducted to examine these issues. Our results indicate that a majority of IT specialists in our sample are rather neutral about the OSS concept conveyed in the public discourse. However, our sample also comprises respondents with more extreme perceptions who can be classified as either supporters or detractors. Our results indicate that detractors have more years of experience but have been less exposed to OSS than supporters, and that IT specialists’ perceptions of the OSS concept are positively associated with their organizations’ openness to OSS adoption and, to a lesser extent, with the existence of an organizational policy that favors OSS adoption. Altogether, our findings provide strong support for the organizing vision theory and the idea that the popularity of an IT innovation concept favors the adoption of the material IT innovation in organizations. By providing a preliminary test of a nomological network of IT specialists’ perceptions of the OSS concept, our study offers insights as to why organizations may or may not take OSS into account in their software procurement decisions.     

Effects of social media usage on country image and purchase intention from social P2P network perspective

Country image has been regarded as the source of competitiveness of a country in the age of globalization. The purpose of this study is to examine what impact does the utilization of social media has on country image, and the relationship between social media usage and the images of a country’s economy, politics, nationality, culture and the country itself; and to examine the impacts of country image on products image and purchase intention. We conducted our analysis in two aspects of social media utilization-usage volume and usage diversity. The comparison of the Korean and Chinese social media users would enrich the insight into the relationship between the various variables developed from a different perspective. In addition, we try to reveal the relationships from a social p2p network perspective that would also provide new insights into the effects between these variables. The results show that, unlike Koreans, Chinese users are significantly related with the social media usage levels. This could be due to various differences that exist between these two countries, such as the state systems, country size, economic development status, culture, etc.     

Research on radical innovation implementation through knowledge reuse based on knowledge flow: A case study on academic teams

To better understand and apply knowledge reuse through knowledge flow when radical innovation is expected, we select an extremely important reuse knowledge industry, i.e., academic research field, and adopt the “spatiotemporal” perspective to analyze the principles and processes of knowledge reuse. We have divided knowledge reuse into four stages, namely, knowledge search, knowledge evaluation, knowledge recombination, and knowledge creation, thereby developing a knowledge reuse mechanism model centered on these stages. This study differs from the previous ones primarily in our adoption of the new perspective in knowledge management research, and dynamically analyze knowledge reuse in the context of knowledge flow.     

Analysis of emerging technology adoption for the digital content market

The digital content market is undergoing an evolution in networking and digitalization technologies, offering diverse information and services. Due to the characteristics of these emerging technologies, the digital content market is growing rapidly and traditional content providers face service transformation decisions. While a majority of the previous technology adoption studies have focused on the viewpoints of users and customers, cost reduction, or electronic channel related technologies, in this research we analyze the emerging technology adoption decisions of competing firms for providing new content services from a strategic perspective. Utilizing game theoretical models, we examine the effects of market environments (technology cost, channel cannibalization, brand power, brand extension, information asymmetry and market uncertainty) on firms’ adoption decisions. This research contributes a number of unique and interesting implications for the issues of emerging technology adoption for new content service provision.     

Does RFID improve firms’ financial performance? an empirical analysis

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is viewed as a technology that improves supply chain efficiency by enhancing inventory efficiency, optimizing logistics, and coordinating the flow of materials. Although RFID has gained great attention in many business applications, the financial gain that accrues over time from RFID adoption is not well understood. We examine the effects of RFID on firm profits while adjusting for self-selection of adoption choice. We find that firms self-select into a certain adoption mode on the basis of their organizational characteristics. Our results also show that RFID confers significant benefits for firms that have adopted RFID. Interestingly, improved inventory ratio and sales efficiency begin to play a greater role in shaping higher profitability over time for firms that have adopted RFID possibly due to time-consuming processes for them to reap the benefits from RFID. However, we find that the values of RFID that accrue to firms are not universal across firm. That is, our results suggest that RFID confers a significant value for certain firms while it does not for other firms with unobservable disadvantages. In sum, our study sheds new light on what drives firms to adopt RFID and on which firms achieve higher financial performance in a post-adoption period as a result of RFID adoption.     

Environmental and organizational drivers influencing the adoption of VoIP

Previous research recognized the importance of studying the organizational adoption of a new communication technology because of its potential benefits on the organizational and individual outcome. However, extant studies took into account just a single theoretical perspective lacking a more comprehensive overview of the factors, which may influence the intention to adopt a new communication technology. Since the growing interest of voice over IP (VoIP) we developed our theoretical framework and tested our hypotheses considering this emerging communication technology. Thus, the present research considers simultaneously the institutional, management fashion, and efficient-choice perspectives for understanding the drivers of VoIP adoption process. A theoretical model is developed and tested through structural equation modelling on 620 Italian firms. We hypothesize that both external and internal factors affect the intention to adopt VoIP. Results underscore both the importance of coercive and fashion setters’ pressure (i.e. external factors), and the pivotal role of perceived internal benefits (i.e. internal factors) in shaping intention to adopt.

Actualizing big data analytics affordances: A revelatory case study

Drawing on a revelatory case study, we identify four big data analytics (BDA) actualization mechanisms: (1) enhancing, (2) constructing, (3) coordinating, and (4) integrating, which manifest in actions on three socio-technical system levels, i.e., the structure, actor, and technology levels. We investigate the actualization of four BDA affordances at an automotive manufacturing company, i.e., establishing customer-centric marketing, provisioning vehicle-data-driven services, data-driven vehicle developing, and optimizing production processes. This study introduces a theoretical perspective to BDA research that explains how organizational actions contribute to actualizing BDA affordances. We further provide practical implications that can help guide practitioners in BDA adoption.     

Coupling coefficients of a distributed execution

We define coupling coefficients of a distributed execution which evaluate the temporal interactions of a distributed execution between the processes during the execution. These coefficients assess the structure of message exchanges rather than the quantity of exchanged information.

The coupling coefficients are easy to compute and provide a criterion to compare and to analyze distributed executions. We check the relevance of our definitions by computing these coefficients for particular cases and by studying their behavior with respect to operators which are defined on the distributed computations. This leads us to establish noteworthy results concerning the behavior of execution times with respect to these operators.

Finally, we regard the coupling coefficients as functions of the relative processor speeds and characterize the executions for which coupling is minimal or maximal.