The evolution of CASE usage in Finland between 1993 and 1996

The purpose of this paper is to report the evolution of CASE adoption in Fi nland based on two comparable surveys, the first conducted in spring 1993 a nd the second in winter 1996/1997. The study uses a process model for innov ation adoption, consisting of three stages: conditions for adopting and usi ng CASE tools; adoption and using CASE tools; and consequences of adopting and using CASE tools. At each stage, the paper points out key aspects relat ed to CASE adoption and studies their changes from 1993 to 1996. The analys is of key aspects reveals that not so much has changed in CASE adoption dur ing the time between the two surveys, although the expectations concerning improvements to be brought about by the CASE technology have increased sign ificantly. There is also increased emphasis on tool interfaces and the cove rage of the development process both, in the criteria for selecting CASE to ols and in performance evaluations. CASE usage has progressed very slowly, if at all. CASE tools are increasingly perceived to lead to intensified pro ject and product standardization and higher end-user participation, but the two surveys did not find any significant change in the perceived impact of CASE technology on the productivity of development or in the quality of so ftware products, and still less in other dimensions of work unit effectiven ess. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.