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Cited by 1,736Information Systems Theories and ImplementationTechnology Adoption and User BehaviourInnovative Human-Technology Interaction

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Technological frames: making sense of information technology in organizations

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Orlikowski, Wanda J., Gash, Debra C.·1994·ACM Transactions on Information Systems
DOI 10.1145/196734.196745
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Abstract

In this article, we build on and extend research into the cognitions and values of users and designers by proposing a systematic approach for examining the underlying assumptions, expectations, and knowledge that people have about technology. Such interpretations of technology (which we call technological frames) are central to understanding technological development, use, and change in organizations. We suggest that where the technological frames of key groups in organizations—such as managers, technologists, and users— are significantly different, difficulties and conflict around the development, use, and change of technology may result. We use the findings of an empirical study to illustrate how the nature, value, and use of a groupware technology were interpreted by various organizational stakeholders, resulting in outcomes that deviated from those expected. We argue that technological frames offer an interesting and useful analytic perspective for explaining an anticipating actions and meanings that are not easily obtained with other theoretical lenses.

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Metadata

Authors
Orlikowski, W. J., & Gash, D. C.
Affiliations
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
  • Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (US)
ORCID
Orlikowski, Wanda J.
Venue
ACM Transactions on Information Systems
Publisher
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Published
1994-04
Volume
12
Issue
2
Pages
174-207
ISSN
  • 1046-8188 (ISSN-L)
  • 1558-2868
DOI
10.1145/196734.196745
OpenAlex
W2127089424
Cited by
1,736
References
96
Citations by year
2026: 58 · 2025: 49 · 2024: 63 · 2023: 63 · 2022: 64 · 2021: 62 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 64 · 2018: 65 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 53 · 2015: 74 · 2014: 81 · 2013: 87 · 2012: 73
FWCI
71.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.acm.org/publications/policies/copyright_policy#Background (vor)
Locations
ACM Transactions on Information Systems (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management Information Systems › Information Systems Theories and Implementation
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
Keywords
technological frames, technology value, organizational stakeholders, groupware, technology adoption, stakeholder conflict

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