Generative mechanisms for innovation in information infrastructures

This paper investigates innovation in information infrastructures. The research question is, how can an information infrastructure provide generative mechanisms for innovation of ICT-based services? Building on a critical realist approach, the empirical evidence was a case study within an international airline, aiming to diversify its services. From the analysis it is proposed that there are two self-reinforcing mechanisms in information infrastructures. The first is the innovation mechanism, resulting in a new service. The second is the service mechanism, resulting in more users and profits. The two mechanisms feed on each other.