Exploring Implementation Strategies of IoT Technology in Organizations: Technology, Organization, and Environment

Abstract

In the process of adopting internet of things (IoT) technology in the organization, many corporate information technology (IT) leaders faced challenges during implementation. Grounded in technology-organization-environment (TOE) theory, this qualitative, pragmatic inquiry study explored strategies corporate IT leaders use to implement IoT technology in their organizations. The six qualified research participants, holding positions from project manager to chief executive officer to founder in the healthcare industry, responded to semi-structured questions. Data were collected in semi-structured interviews and industry security documents. Using the thematic analysis to analyze the data, six themes were identified: using all identified internal project staff skills, aligning current IoT technology with business needs, using all identified existing internal infrastructure, using all recognized external support technologies, taking full advantage of vendor support, and using all identified external influencers and influences. A key recommendation for IT leaders is to use the IoT ecosystem from the IoT solutions to promote benefits and profits. Implications for business practice for this study include improved technology to support and promote benefits to organizations and increase the number of organizations successfully implementing IoT technology and continuing to use it. Businesses and end-users can benefit from the IoT ecosystem with IoT devices in smart cities, offices, hospitals, and homes.