The effects of motives behind the adoption of information systems on adoption success

Across the globe, firms are frequently confronted with the challenge to adopt new information systems (IS). Nevertheless, experiences from practice show that firms often struggle to complete IS adoptions successfully and the success rate of IS adoption is low. In an attempt to increase the success rate of IS adoption, practitioners and researchers alike have investigated determinants that impact IS adoption success, e.g. project team competence. The continuously low success rate of IS adoption indicates, however, that these success determinants do not fully explain IS adoption success. Recently, researchers have suggested that to better understand IS adoption and gain new knowledge of adoption success, it is worthwhile shifting the focus of the investigation to the time before the adoption commences. Following this recommendation, studies on IS adoption began to focus on IS adoption motives, i.e. reasons for initiating and conducting the IS adoption. While focussing on adoption motives seems to be a promising avenue to shed light on IS adoption success, there are currently no studies yet on the relationships between adoption motives and adoption success. This research investigates relationships between adoption motives and adoption success. Drawing on institutional theory as the theoretical lens, this research identifies, and hypothesises how these motives affect success. Data was collected in an online survey from 211 Australian IT managers. Results provide evidence of the relationships between adoption motives and adoption success. This study contributes to IS research because it is an initial attempt to investigate relationships between adoption motives and adoption success. Thus, this study provides new insights into IS adoption success. Further, this research introduces Oliver’s school of institutional theory as a new theoretical lens to IS research. This research also has practical implications as it enables firms to analyse motives that drive IS adoptions, and identify and address benefits and challenges that are associated with particular adoption motives.