An Adoption of Semantic Web from the Perspective of Technology Innovation: A Qualitative Research Approach

What factors affect the adoption and diffusion of Semantic Web innovation? This paper answers this question using multiple case studies. The case study as a qualitative approach is appropriate to achieve this, because the Semantic Web is at the early introduction stage. Data was gathered from seven out of nine organizations adopting the Semantic Web in Korea. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Three factors affecting adoption of the Semantic Web were identified. The first factor is demand pull including requirements for solving search and integration problems of the existing systems and for creating new services. Second, environmental conduciveness, potential business value, government sponsorship programs, and active roles of suppliers affect the adoption of the Semantic Web from the perspective of technology push. Finally, absorptive capacity is an important role of the adoption. Four propositions are derived from this case study.