How do information systems drive organizational technology adaptation and innovation? An integrative review

The continuous emergence of new technologies presents organizations with unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Faced with the rapid evolution of technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, organizations must not only achieve timely technology adaptation, but also leverage these technologies to promote higher-level organizational innovation. However, research on how information systems drive organizational technology adaptation and innovation remains fragmented. To address this issue, this study conducts an integrative review of the literature published between 2015 and 2025. From an initial pool of 1,351 studies, we conducted iterative screening and backward and forward citation chaining, ultimately identifying 115 core articles as the basis for the analysis and methodological guidance. This review makes several key contributions: (1) it synthesizes existing explanations of the mechanisms through which information systems drive technology adaptation and organizational innovation, highlighting technology adaptation as a precursor to organizational innovation; (2) it analyzes the practical impacts and challenges of information systems within organizations, particularly negative effects, such as technical debt; and (3) it identifies promising directions for future information systems research. The findings enrich the theoretical foundations of the information systems and organizational innovation domains and offer practical insights for firms seeking to build sustainable competitive advantage.