The digital imperative

Institutional pressures to digitalise

Bibliographic Data

ID11239724
AuthorsAmelie Bennich (0000-0001-7404-432X, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume76
Pages102436
Publication date2024-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTechnology in Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0160-791X • E-ISSN: 1879-3274
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102436
OpenAlexW4388915044
LanguageEN
Citations received15
References cited92

This paper addresses the ‘digital imperative’ and how organisations are pressured to digitalise. In comparison to previous studies that often emphasise market pressures to digitalise, this paper focuses on institutional pressures exerted on organisations that lack competitive pressures. By drawing upon institutional theory, which considers the social embeddedness of organisations, it acknowledges that social expectations and approval can shape the way organisations respond to technological change. Based on a study of digitalisation within the water sector, where the perceived benefits of digital technologies are advocated under the label of ‘digital water’, it shows that there are isomorphic processes in place through which the idea of digital water is legitimised. Hence, water utilities are under institutional pressures to digitalise which, in turn, can influence how they respond to digitalisation

Business · Political science · Digital Platforms and Economics · ICT Impact and Policies · University-Industry-Government Innovation Models

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