A Comparison of the Influence of Social Factors and Technological Factors on Adoption and Usage of Knowledge Management Systems

Knowledge management strives for effective capture and application of organizational knowledge, a valuable resource imperative in sustaining an organization. In an effort to better achieve knowledge management initiatives, consideration of factors influencing adoption and usage of knowledge management systems are of great interest. Implementation of technological solutions are often considered organizational innovations subject to potential problems of resistance deeming social factors equally important to technological factors. With Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) as a foundation, this research examines factors influencing adoption and usage of knowledge management systems, with results indicating that some factors are important in determining adoption while others are important for continued usage. The IDT model is extended to include Reciprocity Expectation, a factor important when examining practices and technology used for knowledge management. Results of this research stress the importance for careful consideration and re-evaluation of both social and technological factors throughout all stages of technology implementation.