Abstract
In this paper, we explore how infrastructures are repaired following abrupt breakdowns triggered by large product acquisitions. Contemporary digitalization processes often involve the acquisition of off-the-shelf products and the sudden replacement of significant portions of the infrastructure. As illustrated in our empirical case, these abrupt transitions require costly, long-lasting, and often unanticipated repair efforts. Through an exploratory case study, we investigate the acquisition and implementation of a large healthcare system in Norway. Our findings highlight the challenges of infrastructure repair, particularly the chaotic and counterproductive nature of initial repair activities. Actors spend a significant amount of time mobilizing the management of repair tasks. While repair is highly collaborative, our study also reveals its competitive aspects. By shedding light on the complexities and challenges of repair in contemporary digitalization processes, our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of repair efforts.
Recommended Citation
Ringdal, Nora O. and Farshchian, Babak A., "The Role Of Repair In Healthcare Infrastructures: A Case Study Of A Large-Scale Product Acquisition" (2025). 16th Scandinavian Conference on Information Systems. 7.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/scis2025/7