Understanding the IT Selection Decision: Interviews with Industry Decision Makers

摘要

To study information technology selection decisions, IS researchers typically rely on two main theories: innovation diffusion and network effects theory. According to diffusion theory, selection decisions are based on factors associated with the product such as relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, observability, and trialability. Rather than deciding on product features, network effects theory emphasizes the existence and importance of the network (i.e. how many others buy this technology and the impact that will have) in technology selection decisions. While both these theories have been useful, little research has been done to validate that these factors actually influence decision makers in technology selection decisions. This research uses a set of six interviews with CIOs and IT managers to help evaluate and confirm the accuracy of these theoretical factors. Findings suggest some important questions for future research.