Forecasting support systems technologies-in-practice: A model of adoption and use for product forecasting

This paper examines the critical factors for the effective adoption and use of forecasting support systems (FSS) in product forecasting. The adoption of FSS has proved slow and difficult, and their use ineffective. In this paper, using the technologies-in-practice model developed by Orlikowski, and based on evidence from professional designers, users and organizational documents, we found that FSS adoption and use depend on certain situational factors, such as organizational protocols, communication among stakeholders, and product knowledge availability. At the adoption level, analysis shows that FSS are mostly seen as a means of communicating the forecasts effectively, and their outputs can be used as springboard for organizational actions. The findings provide foundations for an enhanced model of adoption and use for the practical development of FSS designs and services. (C) 2012 International Institute of Forecasters. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.