Web services as information systems innovation: a theoretical framework for Web service technology adoption

This article presents a theoretical framework distinguishing four systematically different levels of Web service technology adoption. Based on Swanson´s IS innovation theory the conjecture is made that each level of Web service technology adoption has important differences in adoption requirements and the potential outcomes. The framework is intended to be a conceptual basis for methods to evaluate Web service technology adoption and may consequently help devise strategies to effectively adopt Web service technology.