Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore conceptual issues arising in an empirical study of the emergence of a distinctive new form of expertise – of industry analysts and in particular the leading firm Gartner Group that exercises enormous influence over the Information Technology...

We describe a conceptual approach used to study large organisational software packages (such as enterprise-wide information systems). Building on earlier studies that have examined the mutual adaptation of technology and organisation, we develop a framework for investigating the 'biography' of...