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IT as an institutional actor in developing countries

This paper discusses IT as an institutional actor, which comprises artefacts and techniques as well as industries, legislation, and is supported by powerful ‘rational myths’ about its value in contemporary society. Moreover, it is suggested that IT has been gaining strength by its alliance with other powerful institutions. In the advanced industrialized societies the most prevalent such alliance is ‘management’, as a way of thinking about organizations and organizing, as practicing organizational governance, and as an industry in its own right. In developing countries IT is often aligned with the powerful institution of ‘development’, which is seen here as an ideology supported by a network of international organizations, professionals and industries. The paper demonstrates this particular concept of IT with examples taken from the literature of IS in developing countries. It then discusses the significance of this perspective for IS research and points out some consequences for practice. IT as an institutional actor