EDI Innovation Patterns and Dimensions

Abstract

Management systems are critical to exploiting technological, process and product innovations. This paper examines the adoption of a particular systems innovation, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). This empirical study of 379 organisations compares organisations in the stages of adoption. A systems innovation approach is used in order to examine the internal effects of adoption. The specific issues evaluated are the effects on users regarding satisfaction with training, involvement, participation, and the MIS/User interface. Implementation issues are found to be the principal difference between adopters and non-adopters. Different factors are found to affect the timing of the adoption. Organisation size and systems satisfaction discriminate between early and late adopters. This indicates that future adoptions are likely to be influenced more by a new set of characteristics that are primarily internal rather than external to the organisation. Adoption patterns are found to vary between industries. Adoption choice is affected by the type of pressure experienced by the organisation. The type of pressure is also found to have an impact on internal management practices. Recommendations are made for addressing the internal issues which will be affected by the changing pattern of EDI adoption.