Emerging trends of ICT adoption in innovation contexts: A network framework

Abstract

Given the growing prominence of innovation in service sciences and international competitiveness, the context of innovation has emerged in adoption research. This study explores emerging trends of ICT adoption in an innovation context. More specifically, given the increased importance of inter-organizational networks in fostering innovation, the study uncovers drivers of adoption of inter-organizational systems that support the innovation process. Particularly, to enhance understanding of innovations that are entrenched in networks of heterogeneous actors, this study employs an interdisciplinary approach as it applies network and relationships marketing literatures to the adoption and inter-organizational systems literatures. Based on qualitative research incorporating a focus group and sixteen in-depth interviews, the study provides a network framework for understanding key drivers of ICT adoption, including trust, commitment, coordination and communication efficiency, in innovation contexts.