Alignment of Collaboration Technology Adoption and Organizational Change: Findings from Five Case Studies

Abstract

The chapter presents an analysis of the alignment process of the adoption of collaboration technology and related organizational change identified in a multiple case study in five organizations. Special emphasis is put on the sequential relationship between technology adoption and organizational change, and the question of whether successful adoption of collaboration technology requires the pre-existence of a collaborative organizational culture. Findings from the case studies imply that successful adoption of collaboration technology can follow different patterns, and that contextual factors can be equally important in explaining adoption as characteristics of the technology and implementation project. The case studies also illustrate how elements of learning and maturation in the implementation process can help in overcoming barriers to adoption.