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Cited by 3,879Information Systems Theories and ImplementationInformation Technology Governance and StrategyTechnology Adoption and User Behaviour

Capturing the Complexity in Advanced Technology Use: Adaptive Structuration Theory

DeSanctis, Gerardine, Poole, Marshall Scott·1994·Organization Science
DOI 10.1287/orsc.5.2.121
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Abstract

The past decade has brought advanced information technologies, which include electronic messaging systems, executive information systems, collaborative systems, group decision support systems, and other technologies that use sophisticated information management to enable multiparty participation in organization activities. Developers and users of these systems hold high hopes for their potential to change organizations for the better, but actual changes often do not occur, or occur inconsistently. We propose adaptive structuration theory (AST) as a viable approach for studying the role of advanced information technologies in organization change. AST examines the change process from two vantage points: (1) the types of structures that are provided by advanced technologies, and (2) the structures that actually emerge in human action as people interact with these technologies. To illustrate the principles of AST, we consider the small group meeting and the use of a group decision support system (GDSS). A GDSS is an interesting technology for study because it can be structured in a myriad of ways, and social interaction unfolds as the GDSS is used. Both the structure of the technology and the emergent structure of social action can be studied. We begin by positioning AST among competing theoretical perspectives of technology and change. Next, we describe the theoretical roots and scope of the theory as it is applied to GDSS use and state the essential assumptions, concepts, and propositions of AST. We outline an analytic strategy for applying AST principles and provide an illustration of how our analytic approach can shed light on the impacts of advanced technologies on organizations. A major strength of AST is that it expounds the nature of social structures within advanced information technologies and the key interaction processes that figure in their use. By capturing these processes and tracing their impacts, we can reveal the complexity of technology-organization relationships. We can attain a better understanding of how to implement technologies, and we may also be able to develop improved designs or educational programs that promote productive adaptations.

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  • Adaptive structuration theory suggests that many organizational phenomena including organizational leadership transform when interacting with Advanced Information Technologies.

    “In this context, the adaptive structuration theory (DeSanctis and Poole, 1994) suggests that many organizational phenomena including organizational leadership transform when interacting with Advanced Information Technologies (AITs).”

    From E-Leadership and Teleworking in Times of COVID-19 and Beyond: What We Know and Where Do We Go (2020) · cites this paper as DeSanctis and Poole, 1994

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Authors
DeSanctis, G., & Poole, M. S.
Affiliations
University of Minnesota (US)
ORCID
Poole, Marshall Scott
Venue
Organization Science
Publisher
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
Published
1994-05
Volume
5
Issue
2
Pages
121-147
ISSN
  • 1047-7039 (ISSN-L)
  • 1526-5455
DOI
10.1287/orsc.5.2.121
OpenAlex
W2169736278
Cited by
3,879
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 112 · 2025: 137 · 2024: 89 · 2023: 105 · 2022: 111 · 2021: 125 · 2020: 138 · 2019: 136 · 2018: 122 · 2017: 116 · 2016: 142 · 2015: 175 · 2014: 176 · 2013: 193 · 2012: 206
FWCI
105.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Organization Science (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Information Systems Theories and Implementation
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management Information Systems › Information Technology Governance and Strategy
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
Keywords
adaptive structuration theory, advanced information technology, organizational change, group decision support systems, social structure, technology-organization relationship, small group meetings, technology implementation, technology design

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