Based on a critical analysis of the literature on the development and adoption of interorganisational information systems (IOIS) we propose a new unit of analysis for IOIS studies, define levels of analysis based on this unit in order to organize a large set of variables pertinent to the study of IOIS, and show how this design will be implemented within an international collaborative research project. The main goal of our research is to shed light on the interaction between characteristics of IOIS and their development trajectories on the one hand and characteristics of industries and countries on the other hand. We expect that both, industry characteristics and characteristics of national environments have a significant influence on the type and development of IOIS but submit that understanding of these relationships is in its infancy and that significant new insights can be gained by carefully specifying the network level of analysis. Better understanding of the way IOIS are shaped can greatly assist in evaluating the extent to which adoption experiences in one industry or country can be validly used to inform policy choices in another industry or country.

Many organizations have embraced intranets with the intent to harness the technology to support knowledge management initiatives. Despite the promise that intranet technology holds in this regard, many of the early research studies indicate rather disappointing results. In this paper we propose a model that organizations can use to conceptualize and reflect on their intranet applications with a view towards more fruitful results, specifically in terms of knowledge creation. We do so by drawing upon Nonaka's well-known framework of knowledge creation and combining that with a taxonomy of five intranet use modes. For each of Nonaka's four knowledge creating activities we associate and describe the corresponding primary intranet use mode that we argue can foster the knowledge creation process. We illustrate the arguments with findings from our own empirical intranet field studies and other documented intranet-related knowledge management research. We conclude with some implications of the model and we suggest avenues for further research.

We examine the wake of innovations in architecture and construction propelled by the adoption of digital three dimensional (3D) representations of buildings and their parts. Departing from the traditional view of innovation that treats information technology adoption as an unproblematic, singular event, we examine IT induced innovations and their consequences as path creation created by the network of professional communities involved in architect Frank Gehry's projects. We report the results of a retrospective case study of 3D representation enabled and triggered innovation during the design and construction of the Peter B. Lewis Building at Case Western Reserve University. Our analysis suggests that the consequences of a complex information technology innovation like the use of digital 3D representations of buildings and their part cannot be fully understood as a singular adoption event. Instead, a more holistic and integrated view of the innovation process as continuous path creation by multiple actors sharing practices and feedback across professional communities while they appropriate 3D representations is required. Information technology innovation is not a single event created by a heroic individual or champion, but it involves multiple agents' mindful deviations from established paths of practices and resource use. We observe that the use of 3D representations breaks down the traditional

E-market in this paper is regarded an innovation. Traditionally, researchers studying the diffusion of information technology innovations regard “adoption ” of technologies by individual and organizations the dependent variable. This paper breaking away from tradition quips what if we regard critical mass the dependent variable? Critical mass seems an appealing dependent variable for an e-market can attain critical mass only when adequate number of end users adopt and participate. However, critical mass can be regarded the dependent variable only when we are able to predictively measure critical mass. Potential adopters ’ expectation regarding an e-market’s profitability is proposed a measure for critical mass. Critical mass is explained here a moving target. The exact point in time at which an e-market would attain critical mass cannot be specified just as the market equilibrium in reality cannot be specified. The dynamics of attaining critical mass and not critical mass per se should be of interest just as it is about market equilibrium. Can critical mass theory as applied in this paper be used for researching the emergence of open source communities? When then does an open source community attain critical mass?

Many organisations have embraced intranets with the intent of harnessing the technology to support knowledge management initiatives. Despite the promise that intranet technology holds in this regard, many of the early research studies indicate rather disappointing results. In this paper we propose a model that organisations can use to conceptualise and reflect on their intranet applications with a view towards more fruitful results, specifically in terms of knowledge creation. We do so by drawing upon Nonaka's well-known framework of knowledge creation and combining that with a taxonomy of five intranet use modes. For each of Nonaka's four knowledge creating activities we associate and describe the corresponding primary intranet use mode that we argue can foster the knowledge creation process. We illustrate the arguments with findings from our own empirical intranet field studies and other documented intranet-related knowledge management research. We conclude with some implications of the model and we suggest avenues for further research.

In this paper we analyze how factors of electronic data interchange diffusion evolve over time. Our premise is that factors that capture the diffusion of complex, standard-based and networked technologies are not static but change over time as the technology matures, the institutional arrangement changes and industries become more sophisticated in their technology application. Based on longitudinal field study data collected in 1994, 1995, and 1998 we deliver an account of the EDI diffusion factors in Hong Kong and how they evolved over time. The field study collected organizational, industry and environmental factors that together help explain the diffusion of EDI in Hong Kong. Our analysis shows that factors can change dramatically. This can provide interesting insights into how and why changes in EDI use have happened. On a theoretical level we call for more in-depth field studies when trying to capture and understand the diffusion of complex, standard-based, and networked technologies.

Managing the selection and implementation of information technology is a critically important activity, but significant gaps exist in our understanding of that process. This paper proposes an alternative research approach, in which the motivation to implement a system is the starting point for understanding subsequent adoption processes. The paper has three main components: first we justify the use of motivation as the key to understanding adoption activities and outcomes for bundled (divisible) technologies. We then illustrate the operation of our theory with simplified examples of interorganizational system implementations. Finally, we list key conceptual and methodological requirements for analyzing implementation processes using this method.

This paper tells the story of the introduction of intranet technology in a major South African company. To be more precise, it tells two stories. The first is told from the perspective of the IT managers in the company and interpreted through classical diffusion theory. The second is told from the perspective of the technology `users'; we interpret this story with structuration theory. Two theory bases are useful since, for practitioners as much as researchers, the theoretical stance helps determine what is looked for and what is found. Both accounts help explain what transpires and we use these accounts to highlight some potential pitfalls (a) for researchers trying to study these emergent technologies and (b) for intranet implementers who are grappling to cope with these new types of technologies.

The purpose of this article is to analyse the dynamics of social networks in standard making process, and to show how a standard becomes a means for aligning complex social networks. Alignment of networks is nothing but an alignment of actors' interests involved in the standard making process. The standardisation process is communication rich and the dynamics of networks is based on information exchange flows, which take place at intra- and inter-organisational levels. Actors find themselves in a continuous process of negotiation of interests, powers, resources, etc. Even assuming that the stability of network is needed for a smooth project running, the networks are subject to change and the change is necessary condition for successful standard development. Both stability and transformation are embedded into social networks. In this work we are approaching social networks by looking at standard making processes. Social networks are formed at different stages of standard development and service implementation. Three stages can be identified: inception of standard making process, also referred to as a knowledge creation cycle, the stage of technology diffusion from laboratory to the market, and the transformation stage from the knowledge creation to diffusion. These stages can not necessarily be distinguished on a time scale from one another. We argue that standards are boundary objects which align interests of both standard makers and adopters. We are applying Actor Network theory (ANT) to analyse the dynamics of social networks in the standardisation process, a question which has been overlooked by researchers to date. The proposed approach is demonstrated on the analysis of the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) standards development.

“Have you considered to write a Ph.D.? ” professor Niels Bjørn-Andersen asked me, at our very first meeting where we had a conversation about my possible future employment as a research assistant at the Department of Informatics at CBS. I was tempted to meet the challenge. Later on I realized that this challenge would become one of the major tests in my life so far. However, at this point in time it feels more like a triumph to have written a Ph.D. dissertation. I owe a great many thanks to all the people who helped me in the process. First of all I am indebted to the whole faculty and staff at the Department of Informatics. Everybody there has been outstanding in providing valuable help and support, especially professor Mogens Kühn Pedersen and professor Karlheinz Kautz have shown particular interest in my work. I am specially greateful to professor Niels Bjørn-Andersen who first challenged me to write the Ph.D., and in the same breath I must thank my supervisor associate professor Kim Viborg Andersen who patiently guided me through many to me unknown steps in the process. Particularly I will take this opportunity to thank Kim Viborg Andersen for his willingness to introduce me to the IS-research community. From the very beginning of the Ph.D. study Kim Viborg Andersen arranged an international advisory board. I am very indebted to the four people who kindly responded to Kim Viborg Andersens ’ invitation to join the board.