IFIP WG8'6 Working Conference on

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IFIP WG8.6 Working Conference on Diffusing
Software Product and Process Innovations
THE PHENOMENON OF DIFFUSION RED HERRINGS AND
FUTURE PROMISE
Tor J. Larsen, Ph.D. Associate Professor Norwegian
School of Management Tlph (47) 67 55 71
78 E-mail Tor.J.Larsen_at_BI.NO Home page
http//infomgt.bi.no/Larsen
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Agenda
Diffusion theory promise and problems An
illustration of SAP adoption Within
organizations processes and theories Diffusion,
the larger picture The evolution of information
technology Where might diffusion theory apply?
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Diffusion theory promise and problems
Positive Clearly defined concepts Individual
versus organizational diffusion Issues The
innovator(s) and the rest Adopter groups Adoption
characteristics The sigmoidal development
pattern The decision process
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The data/information and processes contained
within a standard application package
(SAP) Question Other than parameter setting and
module selection, is the SAP installed as is or
does the host organization partially change it
too meet specific needs? If so, are these changes
developed and implemented initially only or is
change to the SAP an ongoing process?
Smaller ISs consciously developed as extensions
to the SAP (these are, probably, still
organizational ISs) Question Were these
IS developed initially only or is
the development of smaller ISs an ongoing process?
Infusion questions Are the data/information and
processes - used as is? - partially used? - not
used at all?
Other local ISs developed because of partial use,
non use or non-existent SAP or smaller IS
support Question How are these developed,
diffused, maintained and used?
Research questions? Interaction?
Individual user needs
Organizational needs
Research questions? Interaction?
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High
p r o g r a m m i n g
Office automation
Integrated IS/IT
IS/IT strategy
Natural human behavior orientation
Systems development and decision support systems
BPR/ ERP
Electronic/ Mobile
Web
End-user computing information society
IS/IT globalization
IS/IT potential
Perceived IS/IT potential
Low
Actual IS/IT potential
60s 70s
80s 90s
00s
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Where might diffusion theory apply?
Organizational level studies (not too many
here!)? E-commerce and other recent
developments? Internet free of charge software
and other products? Hardware components?