The dual effects of the Internet of Things (IoT)

A systematic review of the benefits and risks of IoT adoption by organizations

Review (2019)
Author(s)

P.A. Brous (TU Delft - Information and Communication Technology)

M.F.W.H.A. Marijn (TU Delft - Information and Communication Technology)

P.M. Herder (TU Delft - Energy and Industry)

Research Group
Information and Communication Technology
Copyright
© 2019 P.A. Brous, M.F.W.H.A. Janssen, P.M. Herder
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.05.008
More Info
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Publication Year
2019
Language
English
Copyright
© 2019 P.A. Brous, M.F.W.H.A. Janssen, P.M. Herder
Research Group
Information and Communication Technology
Volume number
51
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Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) might yield many benefits for organizations, but like other technology adoptions may also introduce unforeseen risks and requiring substantial organizational transformations. This paper analyzes IoT adoption by organizations, and identifies IoT benefits and risks. A Big, Open, Linked Data (BOLD) categorization of the expected benefits and risks of IoT is made by conducting a comprehensive literature study. In-depth case studies in the field of asset management were then executed to examine the actual experienced, real world benefits and risks. The duality of technology is used as our theoretical lens to understand the interactions between organization and technology. The results confirm the duality that gaining the benefits of IoT in asset management produces unexpected social changes that lead to structural transformation of the organization. IoT can provide organizations with many benefits, after having dealt with unexpected risks and making the necessary organizational changes. There is a need to introduce changes to the organization, processes and systems, to develop capabilities and ensure that IoT fits the organization's purposes.