From Adoption to Action: Mapping Technology Adoption Constructs For the Small to Medium Enterprise Innovation Success

This paper proposes an action learning centered interpretation of technology adoption variables as they relate to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Action learning has a long history of successful leadership and executive development as part of a change management effort. Change in organizations today often involves technology innovation adoption. For the SME, technological change is uniquely impactful due to limitations in expertise, short process cycles, and limited resources in general. Information and communication technologies (ICT) can provide a competitive advantage for SMEs if the adoption process is effectively managed. Action learning focuses on aligning the individual with organizational goals in a way that creates a culture of ongoing learning, reflection, and realignment if necessary. Tthe hypothesis of this proposal is that the psychometric constructs used to predict adoption success can be mapped to four actionable change management categories, thus providing a plan for a successful change. Since this hypothesis does not lend itself at this stage to precise analytical techniques a Delphi technique is proposed using a sample of 25 senior managers from information intensive SMEs. The results will be analyzed to provide a philosophical foundation. The technology adoption constructs chosen for this research are from the eight most widely cited technology adoption theories. The effectiveness of these theories to explain adoption of technology is widely established in prior research.