The variety of ICT adopters in the intra-firm diffusion process: Theoretical arguments and empirical evidence

This paper proposes to analyse intra-firm ICT diffusion with a specific focus on the differentiation of the types of ICTs adopted. Its theoretical foundations rest on three sources: (i) models of technology diffusion, (ii) Milgrom's and Roberts' complementarity hypothesis (1990), and (iii) the neo-Schumpeterian theory of technological choices. Cluster analyses and a multinomial logit model are used to show the coexistence of four ICT adoption modes characterized by different ICT choices, as well as by different strategic, organizational and environmental patterns. The dataset is based on a cross-sectional survey of French firms, which was conducted in 2002.