Juan Rodon

Unravelling the dynamics of IOIS implementation: an actor-network study of an IOIS in the seaport of Barcelona

Although inter-organizational information systems (IOIS) implementation has been widely studied, mainstream literature has not focused on understanding how implementation unfolds and how the existing components of the installed base shape the process. This paper addresses this gap by conducting a socio-technical, process-oriented, and multi-level study. Based on a longitudinal in-depth case study of the implementation of an industry IOIS, we develop an explication of IOIS implementation that considers the role of the installed base. Using the lens of actor-network theory (ANT), we counter the mainstream IOIS literature by showing that IOIS implementation cannot only be explained by a fixed set of independent factors; instead, the dynamic mutual shaping of socio-technical actors throughout implementation complements existing factor-based models in explaining the evolution and the outcome (success or failure). The study also shows the importance of complying with the technical and non-technical components of the installed base for an IOIS to be successfully initiated.

Analysing IOIS adoption through structural contradictions

Despite extensive research and practitioner literature on inter-organizational information systems (IOIS), our understanding of non-adoption still has some under-explored issues. This paper offers an explanation of non-adoption that focuses on the potential structural changes that IOIS adoption entails; in particular, we contend that the contradictions between the initial social structure and the structure enacted in the use of an IOIS can be a cause of non-adoption. This paper analyses adoption from a logic of opposition where non-adoption occurs because forces of transformation are offset by forces of persistence. Relying on the concepts of social structure, duality of structure, and structural contradiction from Structuration theory, we develop a framework that categorizes the underlying social structure where an IOIS is to be adopted, and formulate some theoretical propositions. From a practitioner perspective, this paper contends that the fact that IOIS management uncovers the contradictions in the social structure that result from IOIS adoption can help avoid dead ends. Accordingly, this framework, which can be used as a coarse-grained picture for anticipating adoption problems, can inform managers when devising an IOIS implementation strategy.

A Multilevel Analysis of eHub Adoption and Consequences

Although there has been a significant amount of research on the adoption of IS standards and consequences, most has tended to focus on traditional EDI standards, paying special attention to factors of individual adopters. However, the current proliferation of new IS standards, based on open technologies, increases the potential for interorganizational collaboration. Research, therefore, needs to raise the level of analysis to that of the constellations of organizations that are part of the industry network. This contribution examines how the structural properties of the network impact on the adoption decision and how the adoption in turn produces changes in the structure of the network. Furthermore, we advocate a multilevel analysis of the consequences of using IS standards and eHubs. We explore and illustrate our theoretical arguments with a case study on the adoption and use of an IS standard and eHub in the chemical industry.

A process‐stakeholder analysis of B2B industry standardisation

– Interoperability standards are a crucial aspect in the development of B2B e‐business. The aim of this paper is to understand how standardisation evolves by analysing the interplay between activities and stakeholders within the process. Unlike most of the IS research that focuses on the underlying technologies within standards, this study explores the standardisation processes and the interaction between the different participants., – This issue was explored with a case study of the standardisation activity in the Port Community of Barcelona. The primary source of data was semi‐structured interviews with members of the standardisation committee, direct observation in meetings and related documentation. Data coding and analysis, using qualitative methods, proceeded in parallel with data collection., – The analysis reveals critical success factors in the urgency perceived by the dominant stakeholder and the inclusion of a workgroup manager. Also the workgroup manager can have a significant positive impact by focusing on sense‐making activities during the first steps of the process., – The study is based on a single organisation and a largely retrospective analysis of two standardisation exercises., – This paper contributes significantly to the literature on vertical B2B standardisation by combining process theories and stakeholder analysis approaches. It demonstrates greater insight into managing successful standards initiatives by taking this holistic approach to the research.

The role of information technology in the environmental performance of the firm

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of information technologies (IT) in the impact of environmental practices on environmental performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors use data from the fifth (2009) round of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) which includes responses from manufacturing plants within the manufacturing industry in Brazil, China, Germany, Hungary and USA. The authors use multiple regression analysis to test the relationship between environmental practices and environmental performance and the moderating effect of IT. Findings The paper finds evidence that IT strengthens the relationship between environmental practices and environmental performance. The IT construct is operationalized through IT-enabled control and IT-enabled coordination. The results confirm the established relationship between environmental practices and environmental performance and show that IT-enabled coordination moderates the relationship between environmental practi...

The Dynamics of an IOIS in the Seaport of Barcelona

A b s t r d C t On the basis of a longitudinal interpretive case study, this paper explores the dynamics in the implementation of an industry interorganizational information system (lOIS). The paper covers 11 years (1994-2005) of the implementation process. We use the lens of actor network theory (ANT) to analyze the process of emergence, development, and progressive stabilization of a socio-technical network, that of the lOIS. We focus on the negotiations and translation of interests that occur during the implementation of the lOIS. By using ANT we develop a different reading of the implementation process, which we believe provides a holistic view of the implementation, andean be adapted and applied to similar implementation projects. ANT is suitable as it helps us trace the course of the implementation, and because of the nature of the lOISandofthe implementation process, which involves political negotiations.