Promise in peril? How an innovation development project surfaced conflicting institutional logics
Year: 2024
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Utility contractors face challenges in mapping network locations and are thus exploring how innovative; easier-to-use technology such as the 3D scanner could resolve these issues. While involved in the development of this technology at a contractor; we observed stakeholders initially embracing the project; but suddenly exhibiting critical and less supportive behaviour. In trying to understand this surprising turn, we employed institutional logics; which suggest that people’s thoughts and actions are influenced by a wider context. We applied this perspective to identify how the 3D-scanner technology interacted with multiple institutional logics. To this end, we interviewed all involved stakeholders and used an abductive coding process to eventually identify two conflicting logics. Initially, a project logic prevailed; driven by efficiency and time; which legitimised supportive actions during the design stage. Later, we found an emerging surveying logic; driven by precision and control. This triggered critical thoughts about the 3D scanner and caused some stakeholders to retract from the project. Our findings illustrate how two parallel institutional logics can jeopardise a seemingly promising innovation when a suppressed logic surfaces and creates conflict.
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7135477983
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