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Institutional Influences on the Adoption and Non-Adoption of Information Systems Innovations: Case Evidence from the Taxco Silver Handicraft Sector

Dobson, John Alver

[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2014.

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Abstract

AbstractThe University of ManchesterJohn Alver DobsonDoctor of Business Administration Institutional Influences on the Adoption and Non-Adoption of Information Systems Innovation: Case Evidence from the Taxco Silver Handicraft Sector2014This thesis answers the research question: What role do institutions play in the adoption and non-adoption of Information Systems (IS) innovations?In exploring this question, institutional theory is used to develop an interpretation of behaviour by Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) related to the adoption and non-adoption of IS innovation within the Taxco Silver Handicraft Sector. The research categorised the emergent data into established Mexican institutions, which allowed for the analysis of institutionalised responses to the introduction of new social structures. There is a need to understand behaviour related to adopting IS innovations through the beliefs of local agents. Interpretivist literature was used to explore how the adoption of IS innovations is influenced by the local context. This research developed a theoretical framework that combines Scott’s (2008) three-pillars of institutions (regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive); with the Seo and Creed (2002) framework for exploring the institutionalisation of IS innovations. This theoretical framework allowed for the exploration of the contestation between institutional entrepreneurs (agents advocating the adoption of new social structures) and those resilient to institutional change. This research makes a number of key contributions to the field of study. The development of a new theoretical framework is designed to assist future researchers in exploring the institutionalisation process. The methodological contribution emerges from the demonstrating the value of ethnographic case studies within handicraft sectors in developing economies. The practical contribution of this research lies in increasing our understanding of how and why new social structures are developed.

Layman's Abstract

Lay AbstractThe University of ManchesterJohn Alver DobsonDoctor of Business Administration Institutional Influences on the Adoption and Non-Adoption of Information Systems Innovation: Case Evidence from the Taxco Silver Handicraft Sector2014This research explores the adoption and non-adoption of Information Systems (IS) innovations (such as cell phones, the Internet, social media and websites) by micro and small enterprises (MSE) within the Taxco Silver Handicraft Sector in Mexico. With both international aid agencies and national government advocating the adoption of IS innovation as key to improving incomes of poor people. This research poses the research question: What role do institutions play in the adoption and non-adoption of IS innovations?The data was categorised into existing Mexican institutions related to cultural-cognition and norms. This approach enabled the analysis to consider the challenges underpinning the successful adoption of IS innovations. The research found that the individuals under scrutiny had adopted IS innovations for their personal use, but not for business use. The findings indicate that an informant’s world view is often at odds with many of the assumptions surrounding how IS innovations are diffused. Existing institutions have created behavioural norms that are designed to be inefficient. However, simply showing how IS innovations can improve efficiency is likely to fail, since doing so ignores the cultural-cognitive rationale for the established inefficiency. This research develops a new theoretical approach for exploring the institutional influences on sectoral behaviour. This theoretical approach can be used to further investigate the concept of a ‘local culture’; and explore the friction that can arise when new social structures are introduced. This research further demonstrates the methodological value of conducting ethnographic research in order to obtain a richer interpretation of the context. Additionally, this research offers practical methods to increase the success rate of the adoption of IS innovations.