Toward a deeper understanding of IT adoption: A multilevel analysis

This study adopts a multilevel perspective and uses cross-level modeling to explore how resistance to change (RTC) influences information technology (IT) adoption behaviors. RTC is conceptualized at two levels of analysis (personal and contextual) and with two levels of specificity (distal and proxi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Information & management 2014-06, Vol.51 (4), p.479-487
Main Authors: Rizzuto, Tracey E., Schwarz, Andrew, Schwarz, Colleen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Change
Computer science
control theory
systems
Corporate culture
Employees
Exact sciences and technology
Information systems. Data bases
Information technology
IT adoption
Memory organisation. Data processing
Multilevel
Organizational behavior
Perceptions
Software
Studies
Technology adoption
Technophobia
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Summary:This study adopts a multilevel perspective and uses cross-level modeling to explore how resistance to change (RTC) influences information technology (IT) adoption behaviors. RTC is conceptualized at two levels of analysis (personal and contextual) and with two levels of specificity (distal and proximal). Data were collected from 258 employees within 25 administrative work units undergoing a new IT initiative. The findings from this study reveal a “maverick effect” wherein pro-initiative employees react in contrast to their workplace contexts. They champion IT adoption when their work units resist the IT initiative and prolong IT adoption when their work units readily embrace the IT initiative. This study introduces a novel interactionist perspective on IT adoption that considers employee dispositions and perceptions, as well as workplace climate and culture, as enablers and inhibitors of IT adoption. Moreover, the study advocates for change management practices that account for multilevel interactions among the personal and contextual influences of IT adoption.
ISSN:0378-7206
1872-7530
DOI:10.1016/j.im.2014.02.005