Diffusion of electronic service delivery innovations: the case of e-policing

This article examines the diffusion and adoption process of an electronic service delivery innovation, which can be seen as an example of e-policing – called SMS-alert – among Dutch police forces. Important is not only to pay attention to the question how an innovation has spread - and the factors and mechanisms that stimulated or frustrated this process - but also to the reasons why an innovation has spread. Therefore, it is important to look at what kind of different meanings organizations attach to an innovation, especially in a public sector context. This research shows that functional, political and institutional patterns of meaning should be taken into account. In this case, the functional and political meaning dominated the appreciation of the innovation, although elements of the institutional meaning also played a role. Furthermore, the case shows that it is important to look at the – in diffusion studies underexposed – influence of diffusion policies and strategies, which have been conducted.