How before what—an exploration of the process of developing competencies for managing a “Central Selection, Local Ownership” diffusion policy to support organisational transformation

Diffusion of IT innovation studies have typically studied single technology innovations. For many organisations, diffusion is a policy by which IT is managed. One particular form of the policy seeks to achieve “central selection, local ownership” (CSLO). This paper explores the organisational development of the competencies to successfully operate a CSLO policy. It explores a single case history involving diffusion of three systems as part of an IT strategy in a divisionalised public health care organisation. It highlights (1) the need to develop relevant CSLO competencies through practice ahead of committing to a strategy; (2) the considerable time it takes to develop them; and (3) the current difficulty of recognising in advance whether an organisation has them.