Abstract
Prior research on inter-organizational information systems has focused primarily on dyadic network relationships, where agreements about information exchange are made between two organizations. The focus of this research is on the processes through which IT decisions are made within larger inter-organizational networks with several network parties. The research draws from network theories in organization science to identify three alternative mechanisms for making network level commitments: contracts, rules and values. In addition, theoretical concepts are searched from dynamic network models, which identify different cycles and stages in network evolution. The empirical research was conducted in two networks. The first one comprises of four municipalities which began collaboration in the deployment of IT in early childhood education (ECE). The second network involves a case where several organizations, both private and public, initiated a joint effort to implement a national level electronic prescription system (EPS). The frameworks and concepts drawn from organizational theories are used to explain success of the first case and the failure of the latter case. The paper contributes to prior IOS research by providing a new theory-based framework for the analysis of early stages of building organizational networks around innovative IT initiatives.
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Keywords
- Early Childhood Education
- Coordination Mechanism
- Information System Research
- Interorganizational Relationship
- Partnership Evolution
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Kestilä, T., Salmivalli, L., Salmela, H., Vahtera, A. (2007). A Process Model of Partnership Evolution Around New IT Initiatives. In: Wang, W., Li, Y., Duan, Z., Yan, L., Li, H., Yang, X. (eds) Integration and Innovation Orient to E-Society Volume 2. IFIP International Federation for Information Processing, vol 252. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-75494-9_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-75494-9_28
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