Review of management information systems research: A management support emphasis

This article organizes, describes, and evaluates MIS research from 1981 through 1985 in order to provide an understanding of what constitutes MIS research and to indicate potentially rich areas for future research. The review emphasizes information systems research in support of management decision making as opposed, for example, to research into the management of information resources or the development of strategic information systems.Preliminary work includes developing a definition of MIS, adopting an organizing framework, and choosing journals for review. Once this foundation is laid, MIS research content and methodology up to 1980 are summarized based upon the findings of the First International Conference on Information Systems. Finally, MIS research from 1981 to 1985 is described and evaluated in terms of content and methodology.It was found that more progress has been made in identifying appropriate research questions than in answering those questions. Significant progress in generating answers may be made in the future due to a healthy shift in the choice of methodologies (shift from more speculative-conceptual to more theory-based/theory-generating empirical). However, progress toward developing a global notion (theory) of MIS seems relatively slow. This lack of progress seems to be a symptom of: - Lack of progress in defining the product of MIS (information). - Too much research focus upon what relationships exist instead of focusing upon why relationships exist. - Underlying problems in the natural sciences paradigm currently associated with MIS research.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27465/1/0000506.pd

A Review of the Literature on the Empathy Construct Using Cluster Analysis

Empathy plays a central role in human behavior and is a key aspect of social functioning. The extensive research on the empathy construct in fields such as psychology, social work, and education has revealed many positive aspects of empathy. Through the use of cluster analysis, this research takes a new approach to reviewing the literature on empathy and objectively identifies groups of empathy research. Next, this study relates the information systems (IS) discipline’s focus on empathy research through the projection of IS empathy paragraphs into those clusters, and identifies areas of empathy research that are currently being largely overlooked by the IS field. The use of cluster analysis and projection for conducting a literature review provides researchers with a more objective approach for reviewing relevant literature

An Empirical Analysis of the Association Between the Intercompany Effects of Electronic Data Interchange and the Level of Computerization and Integration of the Accounting Information System in Small Businesses.

This study investigates intercompany effects on the accounting information system (AIS) of small businesses when electronic data interchange (EDI) is implemented at the request of influential trading partners. The intercompany effects are examined by analyzing the association of the owner/manager\u27s attitude toward computers, the owner/manager\u27s perception that EDI was forced on the business, and the owner/manager\u27s awareness of EDI benefits, with the level of AIS computerization and integration (AIS computerization). Two groups of hypotheses are proposed. The hypotheses in the first group assert that an association exists between the level of AIS computerization, the owner/manager\u27s general computer attitude, and the owner/manager\u27s perception that EDI has been forced upon the company. The second group of hypotheses assert that an association exists between owner/manager knowledge, defined as awareness of EDI issues and benefits, and the level of AIS computerization. General computer attitude is measured using the Computer Attitude Scale developed by Nickell and Pinto. The perception that EDI is forced and awareness of EDI issues and benefits are measured by scales developed in the study. A variation of the Nolan computer growth model is used to measure the level of AIS computerization. Data is gathered from a nationwide sample of small businesses in the agriculture equipment dealer industry using a survey questionnaire. Correlation analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) are the primary statistical techniques employed in the study. The results suggest an association exists between general computer attitude and the level of AIS computerization. The results also support the assertion that an association exists between EDI awareness and AIS computerization. While the analysis suggests a relationship exists between the owner/manager\u27s perception that EDI is forced on the small business and the level of AIS computerization, additional study is required to understand the nature of that relationship. Overall, the results suggest a need for further research with respect to trading partner influences on owner/manager attitudes, perceptions, and behavior toward AIS technology

The effectiveness of computer-based information systems: definition and measurement

Determining and enhancing the effectiveness of computer-based information systems (1/S) in organisations remains a top priority of managers. This study shows that the essential nature and role of 1/S is changing and that classic views of 1/S effectiveness have become increasingly inappropriate. Drawing on the organisational effectiveness literature, it is argued that user perceptions provide a practical alternative and a conceptually sound basis for defining and measuring 1/S effectiveness. A popular measure - User Information Satisfaction - is examined and empirical studies using this measure are critiqued. This reveal limited theoretical grounding or convergence but a growing emphasis on behavioural theory. Based on prior empirical work by the author and expectancy and motivation theory, a model of 1/S behaviours is offered. The model suggests that fit between the needs of the organisation and the capability of 1/S to satisfy these needs is essential to achieving 1/S effectiveness. Several hypotheses are formulated. The development and validation of a particular measurement instrument is traced. The instrument addresses 37 facets of the overall information systems function and respondents complete perceptual scales tapping the relative importance of these facets and how well each is performed. The instrument is used in a field survey of 1025 managers and 1/S staff in eleven large organisations. Attitudes towards 1/S are found to correlate with perceptions of fit between organisational needs and 1/S capabilities. The survey is complemented by management interviews, document analysis and an assessment of the dynamics of the relevant 1/S groups. Cultural and other features associated with perceived 1/S success are found. It is concluded that perceptions of organisational members are central to the meaning of information systems effectiveness, but that the user information satisfaction construct and purely attitudinal measures are inadequate. Based on the notion of fit, a new definition of 1/S effectiveness is proposed. Guidelines for measurement are presented and it is argued that the instrument used in this study is a satisfactory tool. Specific recommendations for management are made and rich opportunities for future research are identified

The effectiveness of computer-based information systems : definition and measurement

Determining and enhancing the effectiveness of computer-based information systems (1/S) in organisations remains a top priority of managers. This study shows that the essential nature and role of 1/S is changing and that classic views of 1/S effectiveness have become increasingly inappropriate. Drawing on the organisational effectiveness literature, it is argued that user perceptions provide a practical alternative and a conceptually sound basis for defining and measuring 1/S effectiveness. A popular measure - User Information Satisfaction - is examined and empirical studies using this measure are critiqued. This reveal limited theoretical grounding or convergence but a growing emphasis on behavioural theory. Based on prior empirical work by the author and expectancy and motivation theory, a model of 1/S behaviours is offered. The model suggests that fit between the needs of the organisation and the capability of 1/S to satisfy these needs is essential to achieving 1/S effectiveness. Several hypotheses are formulated. The development and validation of a particular measurement instrument is traced. The instrument addresses 37 facets of the overall information systems function and respondents complete perceptual scales tapping the relative importance of these facets and how well each is performed. The instrument is used in a field survey of 1025 managers and 1/S staff in eleven large organisations. Attitudes towards 1/S are found to correlate with perceptions of fit between organisational needs and 1/S capabilities. The survey is complemented by management interviews, document analysis and an assessment of the dynamics of the relevant 1/S groups. Cultural and other features associated with perceived 1/S success are found. It is concluded that perceptions of organisational members are central to the meaning of information systems effectiveness, but that the user information satisfaction construct and purely attitudinal measures are inadequate. Based on the notion of fit, a new definition of 1/S effectiveness is proposed. Guidelines for measurement are presented and it is argued that the instrument used in this study is a satisfactory tool. Specific recommendations for management are made and rich opportunities for future research are identified

Information systems evaluation : a post-dualist interpretation

This thesis explores the problem of information systems evaluation by conceptualising it as a process in which the manager comes to an understanding about a system. In other words, information systems evaluation is a hermeneutic process. The thesis explicates this notion through an argument that is itself hermeneutic in its development, beginning with the mainstream functionalist view of information systems evaluation, and then considering an interpretive view of IS evaluation, each of which points to one of two stereotypes of IS evaluation and the manager engaged in this process: the objective/rational manager utilising objective/rational methods versus the subjective/political manager engaged in political manoeuvring, utilising objective/rational methods only as ritual or symbolism. Neither of these opposing stereotypes is satisfactory. Instead, this thesis proposes a dialectic view of information systems evaluation, in terms of which, rather than being a decision maker, the manager is in-the-world, evaluating systems in order to get the job done, on the basis of her thrownness in-the-world. This conceptualisation provides an intuitively appropriate account of evaluation on the part of an individual manager, but we must still consider how managers as members of the organisation, reach a common understanding about a system. This they do through a process of organisational learning as encultured knowing, in terms of which a narrative, situated, pragmatic knowledge is most useful in evaluation. Evaluation, in other words, happens in the course of skilful conversation. Such conversation is, however, not always skilful because the organisation is not just a collection of individuals but also a network of power relations. Conversations as generators of meaning are never held outside of power: systems evaluations as conversations cannot take place outside of a regime of truth. A post-dualist view of action as both constituted by and constituting structure, however, suggests that there is always the potential for genuinely hermeneutic and ethical conversation, provided it is both improvisatory and deconstructive. Having understood the requirement for improvisation and deconstruction, it is possible to suggest some heuristics for information systems evaluation based on these ideas.Dissertation (Phd (Information Technology))--University of Pretoria, 2003.Informaticsunrestricte