Understanding IT-Culture Conflicts to Drive Successful Technochange Projects – A Case Study

Abstract

The introduction of new information systems oftentimes requires organizational changes to realize improvements in a company’s performance. Still, many attempts to bring such technology driven organizational change (i.e., technochange) into practice fail. In this regard, cultural misfits are described to be a decisive cause for organizations’ resistance to change. With this paper, we outline our case study approach of investigating culture caused misfits in technochange projects using the theory of IT-culture conflicts. By ascribing cultural values to IT, we will identify potential cultural misfits concerning IT in a comprehensive and theory guided way. Based on insights we gain from a case study conducted during a Customer Relationship Management system integration in the energy sector, we will provide guidance on how to overcome cultural misfits in technochange projects as a practical contribution. As a theoretical contribution, we contribute to the exploration of culture and its influence on organizational outcomes in technochange.

Keywords: IT-culture conflicts, Technochange, organizational culture