The Factors That Influence Adoption and Usage Decision in SMEs: Evaluating Interpretive Case Study Research in Information Systems

Abstract

1. IntroductionThis paper presents an evaluation of an interpretive in-depth case study. It uses Myers (1997) for the evaluation. The conventions for evaluating information systems case studies conducted according to the natural science model of social science are now widely accepted. Benbasat et al (1987), Lee (1989) and Yin (1994) formulated a set of methodological principles for case studies that were consistent with the conventions of positivism. As a result, case study research is now accepted as a valid research strategy within the Information System research community. The principles proposed in their work have become the de-facto standard against which most case study research in information systems is evaluated. However, while their criteria are useful in evaluating case study research conducted according to the natural science model of social science, the positivist criteria they suggest are inappropriate for interpretive research.The use of interpretive approach is relatively new to information systems field, the approach has emerged as a valid and important strand in information systems research and most mainstream IS journals now welcome interpretive research and significant groups of authors are working within the interpretive tradition (Walsham, 1995). One of the main aims of interpretive research is seeking meaning in context. The use of interpretive perspective can help researchers to understand human thought and action in social and organisational contexts. It has the potential to produce deep insights into information systems phenomena including the use and the management of information systems. The interpretive research does not subscribe to the idea that a pre-determined set of criteria can be applied in a mechanistic way, it does not follow that there are no standards at all by which interpretive research can be judged.Striving and ensuring rigor in interpretive study requires different criteria through which one views and judges the quality and completeness of the research process. Many researchers (Orlikowski et al, 1991; Walsham, 1993, 1995; Klein and Myers, 1999) have addressed qualitative research and they have shown how the nature and purpose of interpretive research differs from positivist research. At present, there are no agreed criteria for evaluating research of this kind. Nonetheless, there must be some criteria by which the quality of interpretive research can be evaluated. Myers (1997) and Klein and Myers (1999) have proposed a set of criteria for the conduct and evaluation of interpretive research in information systems.This study is not concerned with adhering to the scientific tenets of precision and replication, instead the study is concerned in seeking a theory that is compatible with evidence that is both rigorous and relevant and generally useful to other areas. The remainder of the paper is structured as follows. It begins with an overview of case study method and a discourse on the use of case study in Information Systems. This will be followed by a description of the procedures involved in collecting and analyzing data in grounded theory method. Then the criteria proposed by Myers (1997) for evaluating interpretive research will be discussed in relation to this particular study. Myers suggests that interpretive research can be evaluated in terms of theory and in terms of data. Finally, the paper presents further research and some conclusions2. Methodology2.1 Case studyThe purpose of using case study was to provide an understanding of the factors that influence Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) decision to adopt and use Internet in business. The aims of using case study are: (1) to elicit qualitative information (2) to produce an in-depth and holistic study (Yin, 1994), that gives the reader sufficient contextual and environmental descriptions to allow them to transfer the case studies based on conceptual applicability. The case studies are reported with sufficient detail and precision to allow judgements about transferability. …