Information processing model of information technology adaptation

Abstract

Appropriate information technology (IT) diffusion facilitates the achievement of expected return on IT investments. The purpose of this study is to advance IT diffusion research by employing information processing theory as a lens with which to examine the adaptation (design, development, and installation) process. This is in contrast to much of the IT diffusion research, which focuses on factors affecting usage of an IT by members of an organization. We link information processing theory to the innovation diffusion literature by considering attributes of the IT and those of the adopting organization in order to determine what information processing media characteristics will lead to effective adaptation. An IT adaptation case study is also employed to build on and extend elements of information processing and innovation diffusion theories. These exercises result in an information processing model of IT adaptation.The model suggests that appropriately matching information processing volume and richness to uncertainty and equivocality reduction requirements of an IT innovation contributes to successful IT adaptation. Propositions are offered that provide guidance for achieving this match by outlining relationships among IT and organization attributes, as well as indicating how those attributes determine levels of uncertainty and equivocality. Further, the propositions suggest how organizations can appropriately manage uncertainty and equivocality during IT adaptation.