Fashions in the Cloud: A case of Institutional Legitimacy

Organisations claim to adopt IT fashions on the premise of achieving cost-savings, and performance improvements. However, current research reveals that such goals are not the only motivators behind the actual adoption of IT fashions. This paper illustrates, through the case studies of two universities, that the adoption of an IT fashion, such as Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, can enhance the innovative image of an organisation, and render it “fashionable” to stakeholders. Yet, this very image may erode if issues of concern, associated with the uncertainty of new technologies, are not addressed. Through the lens of the Theory of Institutional Legitimacy, the examination of the two case studies depict IT fashions as “double-edged” swords, which may enhance or erode legitimacy of policy makers, thus bringing about shifts in their viewpoints on such technologies. Therefore, a deeper understanding is required of how IT fashions influence the legitimacy of IT decision-makers.