The Diffusion and Adoption of a Cloud-Based Enterprise System in Danish Municipalities

Models Of Technological Diffusion

There are various theories and models that relate to the diffusion of technological innovation. Baskerville and Pries-Heje (2001) define complementary models, with an ecological view that centers on conflict and competition in the diffusion setting and a genealogical view that centers on consensus and regulation. Beynon-Davies and Williams (2003) define two alternative viewpoints, called rational and interpretive models. Rational models focus on vendors and consumers, and seek to trace and explain the acceptance of an innovation over time. Interpretive models include other actors such as the computer industry and the media.

Our model of technological diffusion combines the ecological and the genealogical viewpoints by focusing on a single innovation in an organizational field. We focus on the organizations surrounding this innovation (i.e. the industry, consisting of suppliers, consumers and regulatory agencies), and the history of the innovation. To do this we use the Diffusion of Innovations theory of Rogers (2003) and the Organizing Vision theory of Swanson and Ramiller (1997); these provide theoretical lenses for our research. Furthermore we introduce regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive processes as considered by Scott (2008).