Technological Frames of Reference in Software Acquisition Decisions: Results of a Multiple Case Study

Stefan Harnisch, Jasmin Kaiser and Peter Buxmann

Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) from Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL)

Abstract: Packaged software has gained importance across organizations. While literature has studied the adoption and implementation of packaged software extensively, research on software acquisition has been limited. Especially, scholars have called for more research from a sociological point of view. Software acquisition projects are complex endeavors during which multiple stakeholders and perspectives interact. With this study, we strive to illustrate social interactions in software acquisition decisions through the theoretical lens of technological frames of reference. We conducted a multiple case study with 15 experts from IT, business, and procurement. We find evidence for distinct technological frames across departments that are combined during the software acquisition process, ultimately resulting in common understanding and consensus. Furthermore, we identify eight salient framing effects that facilitate this dynamic alignment of frames. Our results allow for an extension of technological frames of reference theory and support decision makers in optimizing their software acquisition decisions and processes.

Date: 2013-09-30
Note: for complete metadata visit http://tubiblio.ulb.tu-darmstadt.de/62742/
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dar:wpaper:62742

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) from Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Dekanatssekretariat ().