IT Value in Public Sector: Discussion on an Established Model for Private Sector

Abstract

IT value is defined as the stream of research devoted to the identification of economic impacts and organizational benefits of IT applications. This is a research topic with a long-standing tradition, stimulated by the identification of the so-called “productivity paradox”. IT value engaged scholars from many disciplines, adopting different methods and theoretical perspectives, in the study of the benefits produced by IT investments. In spite of a substantial body of literature produced by scholars on this topic during the recent years, the argument still stimulates discussion. A common trait that groups several, when almost not all, studies on the IT value phenomenon is the focus on the private sector, with the frequent use of income or financial indicators to measure improvements. The phenomenon thence needs a study in this peculiar and potentially different context of public administrations. Taking into account this scenario, this paper introduces analyses of the IT value phenomenon in the public administration domain and discusses on the basis of a multiple case study a rich and established IT value theoretical model available in literature.IT value is defined as the stream of research devoted to the identification of economic impacts and organizational benefits of IT applications. This is a research topic with a long-standing tradition, stimulated by the identification of the so-called “productivity paradox”. IT value engaged scholars from many disciplines, adopting different methods and theoretical perspectives, in the study of the benefits produced by IT investments. In spite of a substantial body of literature produced by scholars on this topic during the recent years, the argument still stimulates discussion. A common trait that groups several, when almost not all, studies on the IT value phenomenon is the focus on the private sector, with the frequent use of income or financial indicators to measure improvements. The phenomenon thence needs a study in this peculiar and potentially different context of public administrations. Taking into account this scenario, this paper introduces analyses of the IT value phenomenon in the public administration domain and discusses on the basis of a multiple case study a rich and established IT value theoretical model available in literature.Uninvited Submission