A conceptual model for the adoption and use of CASE technology

Abstract

The software crisis has been well documented. Software is being delivered late, over budget and full of residual faults. In an attempt to solve these problems, CASE technology has been developed. CASE technology provides computer-aided support for every phase in the software development process. The developers of CASE technology claim that these tools will increase software development effectiveness, in terms of the quality of the developed systems, and the productivity of the developers. This claim is confirmed by most empirical studies in the literature which indicate a positive rather than negative impact of CASE technology on the software development process. In light of the above, it is surprising that the actual use of CASE technology has been much less than one would expect. It is reported by Kemerer that one year after introduction, 70% of the CASE technology are never used, 25% are used by only one group and 5% are widely used but not to capacity. Many other studies emphasise this trend. CASE technology is very costly, and this non use phenomenon causes organisations to suffer large financial losses. Thus although CASE technology can improve the software development prð€®–cess, it is not used by the software development community. A conceptual model was developed to address this contradiction. The model is based on research in information system implementation, the innovation diffusion theory, organisational theory, and the economics of technology standards. CASE technology is viewed as a contingent innovation, meaning that a primary adopter (i.e. IT manager) has to make a decision to adopt CASE technology, and then a group of secondary adopters (i.e. system developers) has to adopt and use the CASE technology. Because CASE technology is viewed as a contingent innovation, the meso level of innovation theories is applied, rather than the micro or macro levels. Prior research on CASE technology adoption, has mainly been descriptive. This model offers a theoretical orientation and attempts to explain factors affecting adoption and use of CASE technology.