Interorganizational Information Systems Diffusion: A Social Network Perspective

Abstract

The adoption process of interorganizational information systems has been widely studied. However, little is known on the forces actually acting against their diffusion and deployment. In this paper we suggest the use of elements derived from social network studies to explore the context and environment in which the diffusion of an IOIS takes place. We imply that the adoption of an IOIS depends both on the nature of the innovation and on its diffusion processes intended as the flow of communication within a system of interdependent actors leading to a dynamic process of social influence. Using the concept of avalanches and bifurcations as predictors of change in a nonlinear diffusion of innovation process, we explore the case of the adoption of a new HR management system after the merger of two large pharmaceutical groups providing evidence that this methodology could shed lights on elements only implied in previous studies.