Appropriation of Technology as a Creative Process

The developers of software create software, and the users of software engage in a process of its appropriation. This article describes how these processes can be analyzed within a framework based on systems theory. At least three areas are worthy of attention: The distinction between use of software and use of “hard” technology; the appropriation of software at managerial level and creativity as a recursive process in multi‐level systems. It is hoped that this framework might provide a useful research tool in furthering understanding of the creative process occurring in software applications.