Method diffusion as a social movement

Abstract

This paper describes an investigation into the diffusion of information systems development methods (ISDMs). We portray method diffusion as an instance of technological diffusion. Technological diffusion is normally portrayed within the IS industry as an overtly rational process. In this paper, we postulate that the external diffusion process of ISDMs has many features in common with broader social movements and test a model of knowledge-based diffusion. We use the case of the recent history of the dynamic systems development method (DSDM), a public domain standard methodology for rapid application development (RAD), to illustrate some of the key features of method diffusion processes within a UK context. © 2001 by Springer Science+Business Media New York.