ABSTRACT

Researchers have studied the diffusion of information technology (IT) mainly as a process of adoption. However, the practices of supply-side agents of diffusion are just as critical to guaranteeing the adaptation of technology to the changing needs of the adopters. The execution of these practices over time and across multiple supply-side agents is both complex and understudied. Therefore, this study investigates IT diffusion practices from the perspective of supply-side agents. Drawing from a longitudinal case of development, sale, and institutionalisation of a healthcare information system, this article proposes a model of the supply side of technology diffusion. The model shows that diffusion depends on supply-side agents engaging in practices that are both demanding and possibly misaligned with traditional agent practices. Accordingly, the study provides an additional explanation for the complexity of technological diffusion and extends the theoretical framework of technology diffusion by adding supply-side dynamics.

摘要

研究人员主要将信息技术 (IT) 的传播作为采用过程进行研究。然而，供应方扩散代理的做法对于保证技术适应采用者不断变化的需求同样重要。随着时间的推移和跨多个供应方代理执行这些实践既复杂又缺乏研究。因此，本研究从供应方代理的角度研究了 IT 传播实践。本文从一个医疗信息系统的开发、销售和制度化的纵向案例出发，提出了一个技术扩散供给侧的模型。该模型表明，扩散取决于供应方代理人参与的做法既要求高，又可能与传统代理人做法不一致。因此，