Investigating the Role of Innovation Attributes in the Adoption, Rejection, and Discontinued Use of Open Source Software for Development

Abstract

Drawing on technology adoption research, particularly diffusion of innovations, this article analyzes organizational adoption decisions of a new ICT by organizations in Nairobi, Kenya. Through a multi-case study and interviews with potential adopters, this research assesses the influence of perceived innovation attributes on adoption decisions regarding the Ushahidi Platform, a tool designed for collecting, aggregating, and mapping information. Findings suggest that perceptions of trialability and observability, two attributes that have been found to be less predictive in past research, were influential in the decision process. Additionally, perceived flexibility is added to the list of attributes that should be considered, particularly for analyzing the adoption of free and open source technology.