Actors and emerging information,communications and technology (EICT) adoption:A study of UK small and medium servicesenterprises’

This paper aims to understand the role of actors in the adoption of emergingInformation and Communications Technologies (ICT) using the Actor-Network Theory(ANT). The use of ANT helps identify a diverse range of actors and their role and influencein the dynamic process of emerging ICT’s adoption in UK small and medium enterprises(SMEs). This study adopts a qualitative approach to investigate how UK services SMEs areengaged in emerging ICT adoption by focusing on the role of actors in the process. Datawere gathered through unstructured and semi-structured interviews with managers, ITexperts, government agencies, and customers. Using ANT, the roles of various humanand nonhuman actors in a four-stage dynamic adoption process are examined. Thefindings reveal the critical and dynamic roles of various actors in the socio-technicalnetwork. Although SME managers play the decisional role in emerging ICT adoption, theirviews and decisions are constantly influenced by various other human and nonhumanfactors. The roles and interactions of all actors are dynamic, depending on the adoptionstages