ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INNOVATION CHARACTERISTICS AND IT INNOVATION ADOPTION IN ORGANISATIONS: A META-ANALYSIS APPROACH

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a meta-analysis of innovation characteristics that influence the adoption of information technology (IT) in organisations. Past studies that examine the determinants of IT innovation adoption have produced inconsistent and contradictory results and deducing a definitive set of attributes for innovation adoption has become impractical. The study has aggregated findings of past research on IT adoption using meta-analysis to identify key factors in terms of innovation or technology that influences adoption of IT in organisation. Six innovation characteristics most commonly examined by researchers have been analysed. The results of this meta-analysis confirm that relative advantage, compatibility, cost, observability and trialability are strong determinants of IT innovation adoption. However, the study found no association between complexity and IT innovation adoption. The effect of stage of innovation, type of innovation, type of organisation and size of organisation as four moderating conditions has also been examined.