Drivers and barriers to pre-adoptionof strategic scanning informationsystems in the context of sustainablesupply chain

Abstract

This research is reporting on the pre-adoption of Strategic Scanning (S.Scan) informa-tion systems (IS). More specifically, it relates to the pre-adoption phase, that is, the emer-gence of the idea of such a system and the evaluation of its need for the organization, up-stream of any technological consideration. The research question is the following: what arethe drivers and barriers that influence the pre-adoption of a S.Scan IS? The objective of thisresearch is to extend knowledge on a subject that has received little attention from the schol-ars. Research’s originality relies on the use of isomorphic processes from neo-institutionalframework to study pre-adoption in the field of S.Scan. On the basis of a multi-method re-search combining qualitative and quantitative exploratory studies in the specific field ofsustainable supply chains (SSC), our results highlight 31 drivers and barriers to pre-adop-tion of S.Scan IS, ten of which have not been identified before, and five types of pressures.They therefore suggest that pre-adoption of S.Scan IS can be subject to both functional andinstitutional pressures. It can be driven either by competitiveness or conformism pressures,and hindered by performance objectives or lack of coercive pressures. Finally, these resultsput a question mark about the understanding of the strategic dimension of S.Scan IS by or-ganisations, and the government’s role and its responsibility for promoting SSC initiativesand for the adoption of S.Scan IS on this issue