Technology Adoption by Subsidiaries of a Multinational Corporation: An Actor–Network Perspective

2010 ◽  
Vol 09 (01) ◽  
pp. 65-79
Author(s):  
Janis R. Hilaricus
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Multinational Corporation ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Global Integration ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Adoption Of Technology

International business (IB) and management information system (MIS) literature have focused respectively on the adoption process in multinational corporations (MNCs) and on the adoption of technology in organisations. This paper investigates the process of technology adoption in MNCs and draws on the actor–network theory (ANT) in order to understand the process of technology adoption in MNCs. A case study of a French-owned subsidiary in Brazil is utilised for the conclusions. First, through data analysis, it is discovered that people established connections that differ in being either beneficial or detrimental to technology adoption. Next, it is proposed that the decision to adopt is constantly being renegotiated, whereas previous research assumes a single adoption choice for individuals and organisations. Finally, this paper shows how boundary objects may help MNCs to cope with the conflicting pressures of global integration and national responsiveness.

Determinants of dynamic process of emerging ICT adoption in SMEs – actor network theory perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunday C. Eze ◽  
Vera C. Chinedu-Eze ◽  
Adenike O. Bello
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Process ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
One Stage ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Ict Adoption

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.

The Iranian Wheat Growers’ Climate Information Use

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Sharifzadeh ◽  
Gholam Zamani ◽  
Ezatollah Hossein Karami ◽  
Davar Khalili ◽  
Arthur Tatnall
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Information Use ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Climate Information ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Processing Factors

This research project employed an interdisciplinary attempt to study agricultural climate information use, linking sociology of translation (actor-network theory) and actor analysis premises in a qualitative research design. The research method used case study approaches and purposively selected a sample consisting of wheat growers of the Fars province of Iran, who are known as contact farmers. Concepts from actor-network theory (ANT) have been found to provide a useful perspective on the description and analysis of the cases. The data were analyzed using a combination of an actor-network theory (ANT) framework and the dynamic actor-network analysis (DANA) model. The findings revealed socio political (farmers’ awareness, motivation, and trust), and information processing factors (accuracy of information, access to information, and correspondence of information to farmers’ condition) as the key elements in facilitating climate information use in farming practices.

Nonhuman Actors, Hybrid Networks, and Conflicts Over Municipal Waste Incinerators

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Magnani
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Natural Material ◽  
Environmental Conflicts ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Waste Incinerators

This article seeks to make an original contribution to the study of environmental conflicts on waste management infrastructures by applying concepts derived from actor-network theory in an empirical case study. The article is organized into three main parts. The first highlights how the bulk of the literature on the subject has systematically ignored the role of natural/material factors. The second part analyzes the theoretical and methodological contribution of actor-network theory to the analysis of environmental conflicts. Finally, the third part focuses on a case study from northern Italy concerning a conflict over a project for a large-scale municipal waste-to-energy incinerator. The author shows how the outcome of the conflict, namely the failure of the project notwithstanding a convergence of powerful interests, can only be fully understood by adopting a relational definition of agency that sees it as the effect of the process of building associations between humans and nonhumans.

Technology and Ethical Behavior in Running Sports

2021 ◽  
pp. 534-549
Author(s):  
Norma Smith
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Behavior ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Distance Running ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Wearable Technologies ◽  
Long Distance Running ◽  
The Individual

Wearable technologies' popularity in sporting practices continues to grow. Runners use GPS watches and activity trackers to track steps, log miles, map courses, and monitor heart rates. Likewise, wearables are integrated into long distance running events, with race officials relying on technologies to effectively execute events. However, technologies can also enable and monitor cheating. Many studies focusing on the individual explore why cheaters make unethical decisions. Actor-Network Theory shifts cheating's focus from the individual and moral failings to an assemblage that includes not only the runner, but nonhumans, such as technology, as well. A 2015 Canadian Ironman cheating incident case study illuminates intricate relationships and networks between humans and nonhumans. By examining the intersections of cheating and technology in running sports, the authors see where and how technology works as intended or is repurposed. Whereas a human-centered approach to sport and cheating dismisses wearables' agency, Actor-Network Theory reveals their underexamined, sociotechnical complexities.

Performing Actor-Network Theory in the Post-Secondary Classroom

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Andrea Quinlan ◽  
Elizabeth Quinlan ◽  
Desiree Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Innovative Teaching ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
Secondary Classroom

Teaching innovative schools of thought call for innovative methods of instruction. This article investigates the challenges associated with teaching Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and proposes a creative pedagogical approach of ‘performing’ ANT in the classroom. This article presents a small case study of an instance where this theatrical method was employed in an undergraduate classroom to teach Annemarie Mol’s The Body Multiple. Based on the qualitative data collected from reflections of students and the professor, it investigates the successes of this creative pedagogical approach to teach ANT. This article argues that it is only through innovative teaching methods that ANT can be effectively explored in the classroom.

Recursive approaches to technology adoption, families, and the life course: actor network theory and strong structuration theory

2018 ◽  
pp. 41-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Mead ◽  
Barbara Barbosa Neves
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Structuration Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Strong Structuration Theory ◽  
Strong Structuration ◽  
The Life Course

This chapter examines two recursive approaches to the study of technology adoption within families and the life course: actor network theory (ANT) and strong structuration theory (SST). These recursive approaches explain the reciprocal relationship between social structure and agency in the context of technology use over time. ANT rejects any dualism between technology and society, whereas SST combines structure, agency, and context to offer a comprehensive analysis of users, technologies, and their situational dimensions. The chapter first provides an overview of the theoretical commitments ANT and SST entail for the researcher before discussing the ways in which each has been, and can be, applied in the domains of family and life course studies. It also presents two case studies to illustrate the opportunities and challenges that both recursive approaches bring with them in framing and explaining relationships between technology use, family life, and life transitions.

scholarly journals An actor-network theory perspective to study the non-adoption of a collaborative technology intended to support online community participation

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-365
Author(s):  
Gibran Rivera ◽  
Andrew M. Cox
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
Online Community ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Technology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the value of Actor-network theory as an approach to explain the non-adoption of collaborative technology. Design/Methodology/Approach The notion of translation and related concepts pertaining to Actor-network theory are used to explore the case of non-participation in an organizational online community. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 HR professionals belonging to a multi-campus university system in Mexico. Findings The study shows that participation in the online community did not occur as expected by those promoting its use. An initial inductive analysis showed that the factors that undermine participation had to do with the interface design of the technology and the individual motivations and benefits derived from participation. A second analysis, using ANT showed how processes of negotiation, conflict, enrolment, alignment, and betrayal that occurred during the emergence and evolution of the new network played a critical role in technology adoption leading to the dissolution of the initiative to adopt the collaborative technology. Originality/value The study shows the value of ANT as a tool to better understand the adoption and use of collaborative technology. The analysis goes beyond existing explanations of participation, which tend to focus attention on matters such as the interface design or the personal motivations and benefits derived from participation. It does so by moving away from solely looking at what occurs within the boundaries of a community and understanding the context within which it is being introduced. It prompts the analysis of moments of problematization, interessement, enrolment, and mobilization to explore the adoption process, including the role of non-human actors.

scholarly journals Obraz jako aktor społeczny w sieci. Treści przekazywane w obrębie mikroblogów na przykładzie serwisu soup.io

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 79-98
Author(s):  
Magdalena Szubstarska
Keyword(s):  
Popular Culture ◽  
Economic System ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Contemporary Culture ◽  
Actor Network

Images: Actors in the Network examines the properties of an image floating around the Internet: the ability of connecting people without usage of words, bonding them because of the mutual feelings they have about the reality outside. Images that are reposted between the users of digital forms such as tumblelogs or microblogs (the article uses soup.io for the case study) cover the needs, fears and aspirations of not only ordinary web-users, but also the users of the contemporary culture and economic system. An image is no longer a passive, visual piece – it acts by joining, addressing and portraying the desires, thoughts of the users. This phenomenon can be connected with Bruno Latour’s Actor-Network Theory, and with the ideas of W.J.T. Mitchell about the active images. The example of soup.io shows how easy it is to bond people through sharing particular images, but also how certain tools of popular culture can be used to create something new. Although it seems as soup.io users are not interested in connecting with anyone but themselves, their microblog is the message to the outside, it is their collage portrait that makes them visible to the others. Image is then not only the tool of connection, but also the tool of representation. What is important, most of the images that can be found on soup.io are anonymous – which means that they no longer belong to a certain person, but become independent and free to act.

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