How Social Networks Influence Organizational Innovation Adoption

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework that explains the interdependency of organizations and different social networks in the process of organizational innovation adoption (OIA). We first develop a taxonomy of social networks relevant to OIA and then a conceptual framework based on a review of existing frameworks. Furthermore, a case study was conducted with two cases and six embedded units of analysis. The review of existing frameworks for OIA shows that the importance of social networks has not yet been fully addressed. The analysis of the cases reveals four types of influence (comparison, argumentation, reciprocal learning, and alignment) through which social networks influence the OIA on micro, meso and macro levels. Our results help to better understand how the adoption of innovations proceeds in organizations against the background of the increasing importance of social networks and concepts such as open innovation.