Technology assimilation Understanding the user - IT professional relationship

Abstract

It is argued that a substantial gulf exists between the investment made in
\ntechnology and the ability of organisations to realise significant improvements
\nin business performance.
\nIn the fields of Innovation and Technology Transfer there have been
\ndevelopments in the application of more process focused and human elements as
\na way of addressing the deficiencies of the previous generation of linear and
\nmore structured research.
\nIn this thesis the conceptual models from such research have been adapted and
\nmodified in order to apply it to the specific problem of the adoption and
\nassimilation of information technology (IT). The conceptual models are
\noperationalised through a set of research activities which include investigation
\ninto the congruence between technology deliverers and recipients, the
\ntechnocratic nature of the IT professional role (as determined by employers), the
\nvalues and perceptions of IT managers, the preoccupation of the IT research and
\npractitioner literature, and the values and perceptions of IT users, as 'service'
\nclients.
\nThe substantive conclusions are that the nature of the role of IT professionals is
\ndominated by relatively project orientated and technology orientated
\ncharacteristics. This, in part, inhibits the ability of organisations to develop
\nstrategy and for organisations to consider the service function of IT. This is
\ndisplayed in the form of an interactive, conceptual model. The thesis also
\ndemonstrates the extent to which the distinction between the adoption of an IT
\ntechnological opportunity, by an organisation, can be usefully distinguished
\nfrom the problems of assimilating that opportunity into the daily routine of the
\norganisation and therefore for business advantage.