The boundaries of change: An exploratory study of complexity theory, identity and computer-mediated communication.

摘要

With few exceptions, most studies of change have explored organizational behavior and organizational boundaries as static entities in which internal system change stems from the environment. In an attempt to extend the traditional open systems perspective on change, this study proposes a new, proactive generative mechanism: autopoiesis. Autopoiesis, Greek for self-reproduction, explains change as a function of the self-referencing behavior of the system, which, in turn, creates the system's identity. The system expands or contracts as it incorporates or releases images of its identity. The present study uses the appropriation of a communication technology to provide a context for testing the proposed generative mechanism.;In an exploratory study, hypotheses are tested that address how the strength of group identity, coupled with structuration theory, enables or constrains groups from appropriating the technology. As expected, primary findings indicate that strong identity groups decrease their appropriation use and integration of the technology over time. Contrary to expectations, no increases in technology appropriation were found among weak identity groups. Quite consistently, weak identity groups also indicated decreases in technology appropriation. However, these decreases were not statistically significant. With regard to the relationship between no identity groups and technology appropriation, results indicate that there were no associations between change in external structures and the appropriation measures. When taken as a whole, group identity has no overall effect on technology appropriation.;This study also attempted to test whether or not the "vision" of a technology influences appropriation. While controlling for the time spent with the technology, the experimental manipulation of "vision" failed to produce systematic changes in appropriation.