Technological Frames in the Digital Age: Theory, Measurement Instrument, and Future Research Areas

Abstract

Digital technologies fuel technological change that generates substantial uncertainty and complexity. Corporate actors rely on their technological frames to cope with these challenges. Technological frames determine how actors interpret, assess, and shape a technology’s development, usage, and trajectory. However, the research fails to provide insights into the microfoundations that can explain the consequences of heterogeneity in technological frames. We argue that this research gap is due to a lack of a proper measurement instruments. To address this gap, we theorize on the antecedent of technological frames on the individual level and undertook a rigorous scale‐development process encompassing five steps and samples. The resulting measurement instrument assesses five distinct but interrelated dimensions of an actor’s technological frame (personal attitude, application value, organizational influence, industrial influence, and supervisor influence). This instrument provides a theoretical and methodological foundation for future research on technological frames and corporate strategizing in the digital age.

Innovating under pressure: Adopting digital technologies in social care organizations during the COVID-19 crisis

“… Urbinati et al (2021) propose different “orchestration mechanisms” for managing and coordinating digital innovation processes, one of which is the adoption of digital technologies, which can occur top-down or bottom-up, though a general consensus indicates that it requires top management support to take hold ( Kohli and Melville, 2019 ). This adoption process depends on each adopter's (cognitive) framing ( Nelson and Irwin, 2014 ; Spieth et al, 2021 ), that is, how they perceive the challenges that digital technologies raise to their existing organizational structures and practices, by requiring or enabling different work methods and decisions ( Hanelt et al, 2021 ; Lanzolla et al, 2020 ).…”

Technological frames in classroom: a case study for a faculty professional development

“…Since reality is seen through the lens of existential and episodic beliefs, some beliefs may serve as frames by influencing individuals' perceptions and interpretations of new information (Fives and Buehl 2012). Frames can be understood as sets of assumptions, expectations and interpretations in belief systems to make sense of the world (Spieth et al 2021). For example, technological frames that individuals hold regarding technology determine their meaning construction, technology use and technology adoption behaviours (Davidson 2006;Mishra and Agarwal 2010;Nocera, Dunckley, and Sharp 2007;Olesen 2014;Spieth et al 2021).…”

“…Frames can be understood as sets of assumptions, expectations and interpretations in belief systems to make sense of the world (Spieth et al 2021). For example, technological frames that individuals hold regarding technology determine their meaning construction, technology use and technology adoption behaviours (Davidson 2006;Mishra and Agarwal 2010;Nocera, Dunckley, and Sharp 2007;Olesen 2014;Spieth et al 2021). Simply stated, if faculty believe that technology is a supplemental tool for classroom instruction, they will perceive and use new technological systems and opportunities like the tools with which they are already familiar.…”

Corporate Strategy and the Theory of the Firm in the Digital Age

“…This helps explain why only two articles in the Special Issue utilized this research strategy (see Table I). Spieth et al, (2021) report on a careful scale-development process to shed light on the 'frames' individuals use to make sense of new technologies. Even here, the authors bring in theoretical ideas from social psychology to shape their investigation, but unlike the other articles this study represents an attempt to create theory for the field of corporate strategy in a bottom-up way.…”