Managing emerging technology and organizational transformation: An acculturative analysis

  • Authors:

  • Shan L. Pan;Gary Pan;Paul R. Devadoss

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Information System, School of Computing, National University of Singapore, SOC 1, #04-23, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, Singapore;School of Accountancy, Singapore Management University, 60 Stamford Road, Singapore 178900, Singapore;Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4 YX, UK

  • Venue:
  • Information and Management
  • Year:
  • 2008

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Abstract

From 1992 to 2005 Singapore National Library Board (NLB) successfully incorporated IT into its working procedures and customer service. The organization has adopted RFID and other technology applications; transformed its operating routines and provided access to millions of publications for its library users. A key issue in this transformation was how the organization managed its cultural change and took advantage of emerging technology. The success can be considered remarkable since, in the past, public libraries in Singapore have carried the stigma of traditional public sector organizations in tending to resist new technology. We examined the cultural changes resulting from introduction of IT in order to show how the Singapore National Library Board managed its employees' adaptation to the new technology. A number of key factors emerged; these show how an organization can manage this type of cultural adaptation.