Institutional effects on API development and integration in developing countries: Evidence from Ghana

Joshua Ofoeda, Richard Boateng

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are perceived as major enablers of digital transformation, as such they have attracted the attention of both practitioners and researchers. This notwithstanding, past research on APIs have focused largely on the technical dimensions, neglecting the social and cultural contexts. The purpose of this study is therefore to understand how regulative, normative and cognitive institutions affect the development and integration of APIs in Ghana. Drawing on the new institutional theory as a lens and an interpretive case study methodology, our findings show that normative institutions such as business strategy, customers need, relationships, and experience of vendors enabled the development and integration of APIs. However, regulative institutions in the form of regulations and laws (unwillingness of some institutions to integrate with other applications), security concerns, were regarded as constraining factors to API integration. Also, Cognitive forces in the form of non-disclosure issues and carelessness constrained the integration of APIs.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmericas Conference on Information Systems 2018
Subtitle of host publicationDigital Disruption, AMCIS 2018
PublisherAssociation for Information Systems
ISBN (Print)9780996683166
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event24th Americas Conference on Information Systems 2018: Digital Disruption, AMCIS 2018 - New Orleans
Duration: 16 Aug 201818 Aug 2018

Publication series

NameAmericas Conference on Information Systems 2018: Digital Disruption, AMCIS 2018

Conference

Conference24th Americas Conference on Information Systems 2018: Digital Disruption, AMCIS 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans
Period16/08/1818/08/18

Keywords

  • API
  • Developing country
  • Development
  • Institutional forces
  • Integration

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