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A Dynamic Model of Embeddedness in Digital Infrastructures

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  • Daniel Fürstenau

    (Department of Information Systems, School of Business and Economics, Freie Universit¨at Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany, Einstein Center Digital Future, 10117 Berlin, Germany)

  • Abayomi Baiyere

    (Department of Digitalization, Copenhagen Business School, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland)

  • Natalia Kliewer

    (Department of Information Systems, School of Business and Economics, Freie Universit¨at Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

Digital infrastructures are a result of individual yet interdependent systems evolving in relation to each other. In this paper, we identify three processes by which individual systems become embedded into digital infrastructures. First, there are parallel processes, in which systems become embedded independently of each other. Second, there are competitive processes, in which the embeddedness of one system increases at the expense of another. Finally, there are spanning processes, in which bridges are built between different embedded systems. The three processes, synthesized into a dynamic model of digital infrastructure embeddedness, offer much-needed conceptual clarity to the area of digital infrastructure evolution. They also provide insight into the emergence of three forms of digital infrastructures: silofied, regenerated, and unified. Reflecting an interconnection view, our research further facilitates an understanding of infrastructure inertia and its associated consequence.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Fürstenau & Abayomi Baiyere & Natalia Kliewer, 2019. "A Dynamic Model of Embeddedness in Digital Infrastructures," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 30(4), pages 1319-1342, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:30:y:2019:i:4:p:1319-1342
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.2019.0864
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    2. Sam Ruiqing Cao & Marco Iansiti, 2022. "Organizational Barriers to Transforming Large Finance Corporations: Cloud Adoption and the Importance of Technological Architecture," CESifo Working Paper Series 10142, CESifo.
    3. Jovanovic, Marin & Kostić, Nikola & Sebastian, Ina M. & Sedej, Tomaz, 2022. "Managing a blockchain-based platform ecosystem for industry-wide adoption: The case of TradeLens," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
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    5. Abayomi Baiyere & Varun Grover & Kalle J. Lyytinen & Stephanie Woerner & Alok Gupta, 2023. "Digital “x”—Charting a Path for Digital-Themed Research," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 34(2), pages 463-486, June.
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    7. Haijiao Liu & Jiahui Yu & Boyu Wu & Yanheng Ren & Qing Liu, 2025. "Bibliometric analysis and content analysis of digital entrepreneurship: utilizing the WoS and Scopus databases," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-26, December.

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