@inproceedings{d2a270206edf441fb4e81b138bf021e0,
title = "Designing for Context Versus the Lock-in Effect of {\textquoteleft}Free{\textquoteright} Global Digital Platforms: A Case of SMEs from Nigeria",
abstract = "This paper reports on the design and evaluation of an app that was designed using the newly created elaborated action design research method and critical realism to overcome the social and economic structural challenges that SMEs in Nigeria face. The results show that even though the app took into account the full range of SME dynamic capabilities and proved valuable, SMEs remained dependent on the affordances of the existing global digital platforms. The findings point to the lock-in effect of {\textquoteleft}freely{\textquoteright} available digital platforms and that SMEs tend to default to their path dependency (and therefore the existing global digital platforms) rather than explore local digital innovations. The paper suggests that intentional efforts from powerful actors such as government might be necessary to overcome the path dependency and lock-in effect of {\textquoteleft}freely{\textquoteright} available global digital platforms. The paper identifies the extra efforts required to sustain local digital innovation in the face of well-resourced global digital platforms. The paper further reveals the utility of the new elaborated action design research method for designing for context. Six (6) design principles for designing for SMEs in resource-constrained contexts were also elicited.",
keywords = "Context, Digital platforms, Dynamic capabilities (DC), Mobile app, Particularism, Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)",
author = "Adedamola Tolani and Adebowale Owoseni and Hossana Twinomurinzi",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.; 15th International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology, DESRIST 2020 ; Conference date: 02-12-2020 Through 04-12-2020",
year = "2020",
doi = "10.1007/978-3-030-64823-7_29",
language = "English",
isbn = "9783030648220",
series = "Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)",
publisher = "Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH",
pages = "321--332",
editor = "Sara Hofmann and Oliver M{\"u}ller and Matti Rossi",
booktitle = "Designing for Digital Transformation. Co-Creating Services with Citizens and Industry - 15th International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology, DESRIST 2020, Proceedings",
address = "Germany",
}