No Access

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

Janis R. Hilaricus

CEREGMIA, Université des Antilles et de la Guyane Campus, de Schœlcher B.P. 7209 97275 Schœlcher Cédex, France

https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219649210002528Cited by:0 (Source: Crossref)

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

References

M. Alvesson and S. Deetz , Doing Critical Management Research ( Sage , London , 2000 ) . Crossref, Google Scholar
R. Agarwal and J. Prasad, Decision Science 28(3), 557 (1997). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
F. Becker-Ritterspach and C. Döorrebbächer , Transfers and learning in MNEs: A review of the literature , 24th EGOS Colloquium ( 2008 ) . Google Scholar
B. A. Bechky, Organization Science 14(3), 312 (2003). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
B. A. Bechky, American Journal of Sociology 109(3), 720 (2003). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
T. K. Bikson and J. D. Eveland, Groupware implementation: Reinvention in the sociotechnical frame, Proceedings of CSCW 96 (1996) pp. 428–437. Google Scholar
Carlile, P (1997). Transforming knowledge in product development: Making knowledge manifest through boundary objects. Unpublished Dissertation, University of Michigan . Google Scholar
J. R. Carlson and R. W. Zmud, Acadetheof Management Journal 42(2), 153 (1999). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
Cordella, A and M Shaikh (2006). From epistemology to ontology: Challenging the constructed `truth' of ANT. Working Paper Series, Department of Information Systems London School of Economics and Political Science . Google Scholar
F. D. Davis, MIS Quarterly 13(3), 319 (1989). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
J. W. Dean , Deciding to Innovate: How Firms Justify Advanced Technology ( Ballinger , Cambridge, MA , 1987 ) . Google Scholar
Y. L. Doz and C. K. Prahalad, Strategic Management Journal 12, 145 (1991). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
C. Egido , Video conferencing as a technology to support group work: A review of its failures , Proceedings of CSCW 88 ( 1988 ) . Google Scholar
K. M. Eisenhardt, Acadetheof Management Review 14(4), 532 (1989). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
M. J. Gallivan, Data Base for Advances in Information Systems 32(3), 51 (2001). Crossref, Google Scholar
M. Guimaraes, M. Igbaria and M. Lu, Decision Sciences 23(2), 409 (1992). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
Gherardi, S and D Nicolini (2000). To transfer is to transform: The circulation of safety knowledge. Organization, 7(2), 329–348 . Google Scholar
S. Ghoshal and N. Norhia, Strategic Management Journal 10(4), 323 (1989). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
G. Johnson et al. , Strategy as Practice ( Cambridge University Press , New York , 2007 ) . Crossref, Google Scholar
H. K. Klein and M. D. Myers, MIS Quarterly 23(1), 67 (1999). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
T. Kostova and K. Roth, Acadetheof Management Journal 45(1), 215 (2002). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
B. Latour , Science in Action: How to Follow Scientists and Engineers Through Society ( Harvard University Press , Cambridge, MA , 1987 ) . Google Scholar
B. Latour , Shaping Technology/Building Society , eds. W. Bijker and J. Law ( MIT Press , Boston, MA , 1992 ) . Google Scholar
Latour, B (1996). On actor-network theory: A few clarifications. Soziale Welt: 369–381 . Google Scholar
J. Lave and E. Wenger , Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation ( Cambridge University Press , Cambridge , 1991 ) . Crossref, Google Scholar
J. Law and M. Callon, Social Problems 35, 284 (1988). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
A. S. Lee and R. L. Baskerville, Information Systems Research 14(3), 221 (2003). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
W. J. Orlikowski, Organization Science 3(3), 398 (1992). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
W. J. Orlikowski, MIS Quarterly 1, 309 (1993). Google Scholar
W. J. Orlikowski, Organization Science 11(4), 404 (2000). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
W. J. Orlikowski, Organization Studies 28(9), 1435 (2007). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
M. Poole and G. DeSanctis , Organizations and communication technology , eds. J. Fulk and C. Steinfield ( Sage , London , 1990 ) . Google Scholar
M. S. Poole and G. Desanctis , The Handbook of Information Systems Research , eds. M. E. Whitman and A. B. Woszczynski ( Idea Group , New York , 2004 ) . Google Scholar
E. M. Rogers, Diffusion of Innovations, 4th edn. (The Free Press, New York, 1995). Google Scholar
R. Sabherwal, A. Jeyaraj and C. Chowa, Management Science 52(12), 1849 (2006). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
A. P. Spee and P. Jarzabkowski, Strategic Organization 7(2), 223 (2009). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
S. L. Star and J. Griesemer, Social Studies of Science 19(3), 387 (1989). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
A. Strauss and J. Corbin , Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory, Procedures and Techniques ( Sage , Newbury Park, CA , 1998 ) . Google Scholar
B. Turner, Quality & Quantity 15, 225 (1981). Web of Science, Google Scholar
Warzynski, C (2006). An actor-network approach to leading technological change: Implementing a new technology at a prominent US research university. In The Network Approach: Building Organizations and Society, AM Poorthuis (ed.). Amsterdam: Van Gorcum . Google Scholar
A. Weik and K. Roberts, Administrative Quaterly 38, 357 (1993). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar
S. A. Zahra and G. George, Acadetheof Management Review 27, 185 (2002). Crossref, Web of Science, Google Scholar

Vol. 09, No. 01

Metrics

Downloaded 45 times

History

Keywords

PDF download

System Upgrade on Tue, May 28th, 2024 at 2am (EDT)

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

Abstract

Recommended