A Rhetorical Approach to IT Diffusion: Reconceptualizing the Ideology-Framing Relationship in Computerization Movements

Abstract

In this paper we propose rhetoric as a valuable yet underdeveloped alternative paradigm for examining IT diffusion. Building on recent developments of computerization movements theory, our rhetorical approach proposes that two central elements of the theory, framing and ideology, rather than being treated as separate can be usefully integrated. We suggest that IT diffusion can be usefully explored through examining the interrelationship of the deep structures underlying ideology and the type and sequence of rhetorical claims underpinning actors' framing strategies. Our theoretical developments also allow us to better understand competing discourses influencing the diffusion process. These discourses reflect the ideologies and shape the framing strategies of actors in the broader field context. We illuminate our theoretical approach by drawing on the history of the diffusion of free and open source software.

Folding and Unfolding: Balancing Openness and Transparency in Open Source Communities

“…Transparency relates to the visibility of code, process, techniques, and communications (Coleman 2004;Gacek and Arief 2004;Jorgensen 2001;MacCormack et al 2006;. Espousing the principles of transparency and openness constitutes a key "deep defining structure," or ideology, that shapes much of the framing discourses in and about open source communities (Barrett et al 2013). Yet, transparency and openness have been sparsely examined or questioned in open source development research.…”

Symbolic Action Research in Information Systems: Introduction to the Special Issue

“…Each of these authors advanced conceptualization of information systems as symbolic action in different ways, by showing either how information systems mediate communication and cognition (Nardon and Aten 2012;Yetim 2006), by discussing how information systems are contested terrain, because these systems are deeply implicated in the growth and development of knowledge and knowing (Barrett et al 2013;Schultze and Leidner 2002), or by applying discourse ethics in business and information systems (Mingers and Walsham 2010). Goldkuhl (2012) makes an important contribution by opening up discussion about differing conceptualizations of research methods for symbolic action research.…”

“…The six theory review and analysis papers attended to matters of general interest in the IS field, including assessment (Nardon and Aten 2012), diffusion (Barrett et al 2013), knowledge management (Schultze and Leidner 2002), genre theory (Yetim 2006), and ethics (Mingers and Walsham 2010). Each of these authors advanced conceptualization of information systems as symbolic action in different ways, by showing either how information systems mediate communication and cognition (Nardon and Aten 2012;Yetim 2006), by discussing how information systems are contested terrain, because these systems are deeply implicated in the growth and development of knowledge and knowing (Barrett et al 2013;Schultze and Leidner 2002), or by applying discourse ethics in business and information systems (Mingers and Walsham 2010).…”

Determinants of IT Innovation Diffusion from Dynamic Perspective—Review and Prospects

“…Technological action frame is a comprehensive understanding of how technology works and being used, and it is established in the dynamic process of the interaction between the participants. Public discourse is the expression way of technological action frame and participants ideology, it supports the relationship between computerization and the new social order, and be used to legalize or against the computerization input [31]. Collective actions can promote the movement of computerization by shaping public discourse, and the core of "shaping" is "framing", refers to a process by which social meanings are constructed, disseminated, and stabilized in discourse, namely, the process of the establishment of technological action frames [35].…”

“…Organizing vision is an important branch of IT innovation diffusion research in recent years [31]. An organizing vision is a focal community idea for the application of information technology in organizations, community members including technology suppliers, consultants, industry experts, prospective adopters and scholars [28] [12].…”