Our main purpose is to explore, describe and analyze the organizational conduct when implementing automated trading systems (ATS) in companies, investigate the organizational challenges arising from this, and the effects these have on a successful diffusion. As the extent of implementing ATS in the Swedish financial industry has not been explored to any greater extent, it is therefore also imperative to explore this; which will be seen as a secondary purpose to this article.

Background:

The study is based on innovation and diffusion theories, as well as those of power structures and organization. Further, an explanation of ATS and its dynamics is provided and discussed to facilitate a definition of the term.

Method:

The research has been carried out as an exploratory, descriptive and analytical qualitative study. We have conducted case studies of 7 companies that are implementing, or evaluating the implementation, of ATS. The data was collected through interviews.

Conclusion:

The majority of the case companies are in the clarifying and routinizing stages of the innovation process. What is found unique with ATS is that it can be implemented partly. The dimensions found central to a smooth diffusion in the companies are the required level of competence-sharing and complexity of implementation.