Agent-Based Simulation Analysis Of Path Dependence In Corporate IS Networks For Strategic IT Management

This study extends Arthur’s model of path dependence for strategic IT management by introducing a more complex organizational structure with topology-adjusted network externalities and complementarities. A partial lock-in measure is developed to distinguish partial and global lock-ins. The study finds that complementarities can result in partial rather than global lock-ins. These findings suggest that, contrary to classical path dependence theory, strategic IT managers can contain global lock-ins by partitioning organizational structures. Results from an agent-based simulation study are presented and discussed.