Inter-organizational information systems adoption – a configuration analysis approach

Abstract

In this article we propose a new complementary approach to investigate Inter-Organizational Information Systems (IOIS) adoption called configuration analysis. We motivate the need for a new approach by the common observation that the structure and the strategy of an IOIS are interdependent and that the IOIS adoptions consequently cluster orderly. For example, an IOIS setup with a powerful customer as a hub and many suppliers as spokes frequently surfaces across diffusion studies. Yet, this fact has not been integrated into existing analyses, and its implications have not been fully developed. We propose that IOIS scholars need to look beyond the single adopting organization in IOIS adoption studies and in contrast consider adoption units what we call an adoption configuration. Each such configuration can be further characterized along the following dimensions: (1) vision, (2) key functionality, (3) mode of interaction, (4) structure and (5) mode of appropriation. In addition, these dimensions do not co-vary independently. For example, a particular organizing vision assumes a specific inter-organizational structure. A typology of IOIS configurations for adoption analysis is laid out consisting of dyadic, hub and spoke, industry and community configurations. Specific forms or adoption analysis are suggested for each type of configuration. Overall, configuration analysis redirects IOIS adoption studies both at the theoretical and the methodological level, and a corresponding research agenda is sketched.

Keywords:

• inter organizational information systems
• configuration analysis
• diffusion and adoption
• typology
• multi-level theory

Acknowledgements

We are thankful to John King for comments on the earlier drafts of the manuscript. We are also grateful for the AE and two reviewers for constructive and helpful comments. All the remaining weaknesses remain the responsibility of the authors. This research was in part supported by The Danish Council for Independent Research, Social Sciences (FSE), grant number # 275–08–0342.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kalle Lyytinen

About the authors

Kalle Lyytinen is a Professor of Information Systems at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and an adjunct Professor at the University of Jyvaskyla. He has published eight books, over 50 journal articles and over 80 conference presentations and book chapters.

Jan Damsgaard

Jan Damsgaard is the Professor and director of Center for Applied Information and Communication Technology at Copenhagen Business School. His research focuses on the diffusion and implementation of networked IT such as Intranets, Inter-organizational information systems and mobile and wireless technologies.