Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
disCussion And ConClusion
with innovation. Thus, apparently, ECS' adoption
per se has no effect on innovation.
The results showed, as hypothesized, that
distinct CTs are associated with different CTs'
uses. Specifically, it was found that ECS are
more e-information- and e-communication-
oriented (particularly when considering forums),
whereas TS are used for e-information (document
management/workflow) and e-workflow (shared
databases). The lack of relationship between
document management/workflow and e-workflow
leads us to believe that this technology has been
considered, mainly, as a document management
system, which does not necessarily include the
automation of internal processes.
With regard to the contribution of CTs' use to
innovation, only e-information has a significant
impact on innovation. Initially, it might be logical
to think of a possible influence from e-commu-
nication as well. As this is not the case, it could
be interpreted that participation and discussion
processes, fundamental to innovation, are done
outside the intranet. A possible explanation of this
can be found in the characteristics of the firms
analyzed (SMEs).
In sum, results show that TS are the only CTs
that directly influence innovation. The adoption
of these technologies involves changing organi-
zational practices, since work is done through
them. Research findings also suggest that indirect
effects on innovation exist through the influence
of e-information. Considering that e-information
is significantly influenced by discussion forums
and document management systems/workflows,
here it is possible to make several recommenda-
tions. Document management systems/workflows
are found to be the CT that most contributes to
innovation. The adoption of this technology in-
fluences process innovation, but also influences
product innovation when used with an informative
orientation (e-information). The case of discussion
forums is particularly interesting. It is the least-
presented CT and, as an ECS which supports work
realization, the simple presence of this technology
The present research examines the impact of CTs
on innovation. This effect is evaluated directly
from the mere presence of those technologies, but
also indirectly through CTs' use. Given the fact
that firms can use this technology for different
purposes, CTs' use is measured according to three
orientations: e-information, e-communication,
and e-workflow. In this regard, this research tests
three relationships: CTs' adoption and CTs' use,
the influence of CTs' adoption on innovation, and
the effect of CTs' use on innovation.
The results indicate that CTs are not wide-
spread among SMEs, since only 37.1% out of all
analyzed firms (310) had at least one type of CT
within their intranet. The most frequently-found
CT was shared databases. Specifically, 34.2%
of the sample had shared databases. Also, this
technology was found in almost all firms that
have at least one type of CT (92.2%). These results
confirm previous research studies. For instance,
Bafoutsou and Mentzas (2002) found that shared
databases are clearly the most common and
needed collaboration tools for sharing informa-
tion. Recently, Meroño-Cerdan (2005) also found
that shared databases were the most-adopted CT
at the firm level. On the contrary, results showed
discussion forums were the least-presented CT.
Although discussion forums have been one of the
earliest technologies for collaborative knowledge
creation and knowledge sharing (Wagner & Bol-
loju, 2005), firms seem to relegate this technology
to an anecdotal use.
The empirical results demonstrate that CTs
classified as Teamwork Systems (TS), shared
databases and document management systems/
workflow, are directly related to process and prod-
uct innovation, respectively, since work is done
through them. On the contrary, Electronic Com-
munication Systems (ECS), discussion forums
and repositories, characterized by supporting
individual and group work, are not associated
Search WWH ::
Custom Search