The social process of organizational adaptation: Exploring the gap between managerial intentions and local realization

Paper i proceeding, 2005

The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe the dynamics of the implementation stage in the innovation process. Through the investigation of an introduction of a demand-driven working-hours system, the study is intended to contribute to further understanding of the social processes occurring when an administrative innovation is introduced in an organization. Empirical findings from 25 interviews with both innovation developers and innovation users are reported in detail. From the data collected through the interviews, findings emerged regarding elements that generated a discrepancy between managerial intention with the innovation and the local realization. In particular, the users’ subjective evaluation of innovation characteristics is highlighted as one central element. Further the study shows that innovation characteristics are perceived through a filter composed of the perception of the introduction. Moreover the importance of trust in innovation processes is emphasized.