What's Wrong with the Diffusion of Innovation Theory: The Case of a Complex and Networked Technology

Kalle Lyytinen, Jan Damsgaard · 2001 · VBN Forskningsportal (Aalborg Universitet)

Summary. This paper critiques diffusion of innovation theory for failing to account for complex, networked technologies like EDI systems. The authors argue that DOI theory overlooks how complex IT solutions are socially constructed, learning-intensive, and adopted for varied reasons within unstable markets. They call for richer theoretical frameworks that recognize institutional contexts, process histories, key actors, and multiple analytical perspectives across different scales and locations.

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@article{lyytinen-2001-what-s-wrong-diffusion-innovation,
  title   = {What's Wrong with the Diffusion of Innovation Theory: The Case of a Complex and Networked Technology},
  author  = {Kalle Lyytinen and Jan Damsgaard},
  journal = {VBN Forskningsportal (Aalborg Universitet)},
  year    = {2001},
  url     = {https://vbn.aau.dk/da/publications/169e66b0-9c2e-11db-8ed6-000ea68e967b}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - What's Wrong with the Diffusion of Innovation Theory: The Case of a Complex and Networked Technology
AU  - Kalle Lyytinen
AU  - Jan Damsgaard
JO  - VBN Forskningsportal (Aalborg Universitet)
PY  - 2001
UR  - https://vbn.aau.dk/da/publications/169e66b0-9c2e-11db-8ed6-000ea68e967b
ER  - 

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Categories

innovation-theory, innovation-networks, general-innovation

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2026-04-28