Modeling Technological Change in Small Business

Abstract

The introduction of a new information system into a small business, or upgrading an existing system, should be seen as an innovation and considered through the lens of innovation theory. The most widely accepted theory of how technological innovation takes place is provided by innovation diffusion, but most of the research based on this model involves studies of large organisations or societal groups. This article argues that another approach, innovation translation, has more to offer in the case of innovations that take place in smaller organisations (Burgess, Tatnall & Darbyshire, 1999; Tatnall, 2002; Tatnall & Burgess, 2004).