Technological frames of stakeholders shaping the SDI implementation: A case study from India

✍ Scribed by Satish K. Puri

• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Year: 2006
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 156 KB
• Volume: 12
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0268-1102
• DOI: 10.1002/itdj.20050

✦ Synopsis

The theory of technological frames provides a useful lens to analyze and understand diverse meanings and expectations attached by different stakeholder groups around information and communication technologies (ICTs) sought to be introduced in organizations. These differing perceptions have been found to variously problematize new IS design and implementation efforts. In this article, the key concepts articulated around technological frames are drawn upon to analyze the meanings, assumptions, and expectations espoused by different stakeholders in context of the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in India. It is argued that the theory of technological frames, with its roots in socio-cognitive and social construction of technology (SCOT) research arenas, helps improve our understanding of the aspects. It is further argued that IS/GIS-related research needs to move beyond merely diagnosing the diversity of interpretations towards suggesting how these may be negotiated and resolved. The Indian NSDI setting is accordingly discussed and analyzed in this article. The research findings, however, have a wider applicability, being also germane to similar ICT initiatives being taken in other developing countries.