Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/206079 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Citation: 
[Journal:] Cogent Business & Management [ISSN:] 2331-1975 [Volume:] 5 [Publisher:] Taylor & Francis [Place:] Abingdon [Year:] 2018
Publisher: 
Taylor & Francis, Abingdon
Abstract: 
This paper aims to understand the role of actors in the adoption of emerging Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) using the Actor-Network Theory (ANT). The use of ANT helps identify a diverse range of actors and their role and influence in the dynamic process of emerging ICT’s adoption in UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This study adopts a qualitative approach to investigate how UK services SMEs are engaged in emerging ICT adoption by focusing on the role of actors in the process. Data were gathered through unstructured and semi-structured interviews with managers, IT experts, government agencies, and customers. Using ANT, the roles of various human and nonhuman actors in a four-stage dynamic adoption process are examined. The findings reveal the critical and dynamic roles of various actors in the socio-technical network. Although SME managers play the decisional role in emerging ICT adoption, their views and decisions are constantly influenced by various other human and nonhuman factors. The roles and interactions of all actors are dynamic, depending on the adoption stages.
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Article

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.