Inter-organisational information systems assimilation: an empirical evaluation in light of the diffusion of innovation theory

This paper evaluates the antecedents of public e-procurement assimilation in the context of the public sector. E-procurement assimilation attributes were identified primarily through a literature review, a research model was developed, and hypotheses were formulated. Based on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, it was hypothesised that relative advantage and compatibility impact positively whereas complexity negatively impacts the assimilation of e-procurement. Hypotheses were tested from the data collected by means of a web-based survey of procurement/e-procurement professionals in the Australian public sector. Structural equation modelling results suggest the positive relationship between compatibility and e-procurement assimilation. While a negative relationship between complexities and e-procurement assimilation emerged as expected, only partial support was found between relative advantage and e-procurement assimilation.