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A critque of the stage hypothesis: theory and empirical evidence

Published:01 May 1984Publication History
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Abstract

The stage hypothesis on the assimilation of computing technology provides one of the most popular models for describing and managing the growth of administrative information systems. Despite little formal evidence of its reliability or robustness, it has achieved a high level of acceptance among practitioners. We describe and summarize the findings of seven empirical studies conducted during the past six years that tested various hypotheses derived from this model. The accumulation of evidence from these studies casts considerable doubt on the validity of the stage hypothesis as an explanatory structure for the growth of computing in organizations.

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            cover image Communications of the ACM
            Communications of the ACM  Volume 27, Issue 5
            May 1984
            85 pages
            ISSN:0001-0782
            EISSN:1557-7317
            DOI:10.1145/358189
            Issue’s Table of Contents

            Copyright © 1984 ACM

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            • Published: 1 May 1984

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