A Comparative Longitudinal Analysis of Theoretical Perspectives of the Influence of the Past on Computer System Evolution

Changes made to an organization’s computer systems in the past dictate the changes that can be made to its computer systems in the future. To explain this phenomenon, researchers currently rely on three theoretical perspectives: path dependence, structural inertia and imprinting. As each perspective specifies a different set and a distinct causal ordering of constructs, our understanding of why and how past system changes influence the evolution of an organization’s computer systems is fragmented. Using case studies informed by a congruence analysis approach, we aim to compare the explanatory merits of these perspectives and provide preliminary empirical insights into their unique contributions to our understanding of this phenomenon. Ultimately, we hope to integrate these perspectives to form a coherent model that explain not only why and how past computer system changes influence the evolution of an organization’s computer systems but also how organizations may leverage this influence to their advantage.