Factors Affecting Emerging ICT Adoption in SMEs: An Actor Network Theory Analysis

PurposeWhile traditional theories of information and communication technology (ICT) adoption have been deployed to study ICT adoption in the past, these theories considers ICT adoption as static and rely on conceptualising factors as variables and predicting their levels of outcome at a single decision stage. Although much has been credited to these theories, they have continuously ignored the fact that as decisions to adopt are made and challenged along the adoption process, such decision can be influenced by the same, different or combination of factors at different stages of the adoption process. This paper aims to examine ICT adoption from a dynamic process perspective and to explore the key determinants and how these differ from one stage of the adoption process to another.Design/methodology/approachQualitative method was adopted in this study. Both unstructured and semi-structured interviews were conducted in two separate stages using purposeful random sampling. Hybrid approach of thematic analysis was adopted in analysing the data.FindingsThis study develops a framework informed by actor network theory (ANT) concepts and finds that using ANT to examine the process of adoption helps to unveil the recursive nature of the process. The study reveals that the 14 determinants identified in this study influenced adoption at different stages. Factors such as ease of use, managerial time, customer focus and adoption influenced adoption at all the stages. This reveals that factors influencing ICT adoption are not static at one particular stage rather it may influence ICT adoption at different stages.Research limitations/implicationsQualitative research is often subjective and interpretive in nature, and one of the limitations is the sample used in this research. Considering the small number of interviews carried out in this study, the generalisation of finding and the framework remains to be established across a wider population. Therefore, the factors presented could be limited considering that a number of practitioners that are involved in establishing emerging ICT are numerous. Therefore, other factors are prevailing to other industries or sectors that may provide scholars another way of examining these factors. Also, the framework demonstrates that it is a valuable analytical tool for researchers to examine how and why different actors including small and medium enterprise (SME) managers act around emerging ICT.Originality/valueThis study develops a framework that revealed the interactive and recursive nature of ICT adoption and the determinants influencing the process of ICT adoption at different stages thereby advancing ICT adoption research. The study challenges researchers to always consider ICT adoption as dynamic and unpredictable instead of one-off action as factors influencing its adoption are not static rather; they vary from one stage to another.

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Reducing Uncertainty in a Human-Centered Design Approach: Using Actor-Network Theory Analysis to Establish Fluid Design Guidelines

Communications in Computer and Information Science - HCI International 2011 – Posters’ Extended Abstracts ◽

10.1007/978-3-642-22098-2_8 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 38-42

Author(s):

Ryan Kirk ◽

Anna Prisacari

Keyword(s):

Network Theory ◽

Actor Network Theory ◽

Design Guidelines ◽

Design Approach ◽

Theory Analysis ◽

Human Centered Design ◽

Actor Network ◽

Fluid Design

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Death sentencing by Zoom: An actor-network theory analysis

Alternative Law Journal ◽

10.1177/1037969x20966147 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1037969X2096614

Author(s):

Milena Heinsch ◽

Tania Sourdin ◽

Caragh Brosnan ◽

Hannah Cootes

Keyword(s):

Network Theory ◽

Video Conferencing ◽

Actor Network Theory ◽

Limited Extent ◽

Theory Analysis ◽

Actor Network ◽

Jury Trials ◽

The World ◽

Death Sentencing

During the COVID-19 pandemic, courts around the world have introduced a range of technologies to cope with social distancing requirements. Jury trials have been largely delayed, although some jurisdictions moved to remote jury approaches and video conferencing was used extensively for bail applications. While videoconferencing has been used to a more limited extent in the area of sentencing, many were appalled by the news that two people were sentenced to death via Zoom. This article uses actor-network theory (ANT) to explore the role of technology in reshaping the experience of those involved in the sentencing of Punithan Genasan in Singapore.

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‘Looked-after’ young people's voices an actor-network theory analysis

Children s Geographies ◽

10.1080/14733285.2016.1157570 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 603-616 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lucy Hanson ◽

Chris Holligan ◽

Maria Adams

Keyword(s):

Network Theory ◽

Actor Network Theory ◽

Theory Analysis ◽

Actor Network

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Information Systems and Actor-Network Theory Analysis

International Journal of Actor-Network Theory and Technological Innovation ◽

10.4018/jantti.2013070101 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Tiko Iyamu ◽

Tefo Sekgweleo

Keyword(s):

Information Systems ◽

Social Context ◽

Network Theory ◽

Actor Network Theory ◽

User Requirements ◽

Theory Analysis ◽

Actor Network ◽

The Social ◽

Politics And Culture ◽

Operational Issues

Evidently, based on studies which have been conducted over the years, there exist lots more complexity than technical in the development and implementation of information systems in organisations. The complex issues are socio-technical in nature, which require a refresh examination, from social context, if different results are to be achieved. Some of the complexities which are encountered include operational issues, environmental trends, processes flow, communicative scheme, and actors’ relationship. The unpredictable nature of business and rapidly changing user requirements makes it even more difficult to develop and implement systems within budget and timeframe. Other challenges are within the social context, such as politics and culture affiliations. Through the lens of Actor-Network Theory (ANT) understanding of the social context of how information systems are developed and implemented is gained. Although ANT has been employed in many studies, it is of significant important to establishes and clarifies the factors, from the social perspective, which influences the development and implementation of information systems in organisations.

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