A critical analysis of decision support systems research

This paper critically analyses the nature and state of decision support systems (DSS) research. To provide contest for the analysis, a history of DSS is presented which focuses on the evolution of a number of sub-groupings of research and practice: personal DSS, group support systems, negotiation support systems, intelligent DSS, knowledge management-based DSS, executive information systems/business intelligence and data warehousing. To understand the state of DSS research an empirical investigation of published DSS research is presented. This investigation is based on the detailed analysis of 1,020 DSS articles published in 14 major journals from 1990 to 2003. The analysis fund that DSS publication has been falling steadily since its peak in 1994 and the current publication rate is at early 1990s levels. Other findings include that personal DSS and group support systems dominate research activity and data warehousing is the least published type of DSS. The journal DSS is the Major publishing outlet, US 'Other" journals dominate DSS publishing and there is very low exposure of DSS in European journals. Around two-thirds of DSS research is empirical, a much higher proportion than general IS research. DSS empirical research is overwhelming positivism, and is more dominated by positivism than IS research in general. Design science is a major DSS research category. The decision support focus of the sample shows a well-balanced mix of development, technology, process, and outcome studies. almost half of DSS papers did not use judgement and decision-making reference research in the design and analysis of their projects and most cited reference works are relatively old. A major omission in DSS scholarship is the poor identification of the clients and users of the various DSS applications that are the focus of investigation. The analysis of the professional or practical contribution of DSS research shows a field that is facing a crisis of relevance. Using the history and empirical study as a foundation, a number of strategies for improving DSS research are suggested

An investigation of knowledge management practice and attitudes by information technology departments within organisations

Much research as been conducted on knowledge management (KM) in order to improve how organisations handle this valuable resource . Little is known, however, of how the providers of the knowledge management technologies, the organisation's IT people, handle their own knowledge management technologies. this study has focused on how IT departments and people "practice what they preach" in this area. A survey was conducted among large organisations which reveals there is a recognised need for KM but it is not pert of their formal goals. There are many KM technologies in use, however, and a positive attitude exists towards their adoption in the IT departments of these organisations

An investigation of factors affecting technology acceptance and use decisions by Australian allied health therapists

The research reported in this paper describes the development, empirical validation and analysis of a model of technology acceptance by Australian occupational therapists. The study described involved the collection of quantitative data through a national survey, with over 2000 responses and a longitudinal case study within the community health sector. Results provide qualitative and quantitative support for the proposed model and demonstrate the inadequacy of traditional models of technology acceptance when applied to the health sector. This work extends technology acceptance studies into new realms of the health sector and highlights the need for a broadening of health IT research, and particularly technology acceptance studies, to encompass a more holistic and inclusive view of those who work in healthcare in order to gain a greater understanding of its complexities and how IS implementation success can be enhanced in this arena

IS/IT Investment Evaluation and Benefits Realisation Issues in a Government Organisation

The issue of expected and actual benefits realised from IS/IT investments has generated a significant amount of debate in the IS/IT literature amongst researchers, academics, and practitioners. This is as true in Australia as it is in the rest of the developed world. Thus, a detailed program of research into the current Australian practice and processes of IS/IT investment evaluation and benefits realisation was initiated. As part of this research program an in-depth case study of these practices and processes in a large government department, with a mix of insourced and outsourced IS/IT activities, was conducted. Issues arising from the study include a lack of a formal IS/IT investment evaluation methodology and a lack of understanding of the evaluation approach used, a lack of any (formal and informal) benefits realisation methodology and a lack of understanding of benefits management practices, the use of an informal IS/IT investment evaluation process, focus on quantitative IS/IT investment evaluation measures, conflicting motivations for outsourcing, different perception of success of the contracts by stakeholders, IS/IT skill shortage within the organisation, embedded contract mentality, complicated contract arrangements, over-reliance on a single contractor, lack of user involvement/participation in contract development, and general lack of commitment by contractors

Designing a case study protocol for application in IS research

A review of the literature has shown that there is a growing call for the use of the case research method in IS research. However, it has been noted that there are few guidelines on how to conduct case research in the field of IS, particularly with respect to the development of Case Study Protocols. This article therefore endeavours to overcome this shortcoming by presenting a set of guidelines that may be used by in the development of such protocols. In essence, a Case Study Protocol (CSP) is a set of comprehensive guidelines that is an integral part of the case research design and contains the procedures for conducting the research, the research instrument itself, and the guidelines for data analysis. By developing a CSP, researchers are forced to consider all issues relevant to their research and this in turn contributes to more rigorous (case) research that has greater internal and external validity

The 2005 survey of information systems research in Australia

As part of a study to investigate the state of Information Systems research in Australia, a survey of the heads of all IS discipline groups in Australian universities was conducted in mid 2005. The study revealed a wide range of topics researched (with rapid growth in Electronic Commerce and Knowledge Management), a range of foci, a balance between positivist and interpretivist research, survey was the most frequently used research method, and most research was directed at informing IS professionals. A SWOT analysis identified the growing importance of industry relevance and collaboration

IT Outsourcing Relationship Management and Performance Measurement System Effectiveness

Managing the relationship between the client and the vendor is of critical importance to the success of the IT outsourcing arrangement. This paper develops and explores a conceptual model based on relational exchange theory that identifies a number of attributes or dimensions that contribute to the overall success of (a) the relationship, (b) performance measurement system effectiveness and (c) the outsourcing contract. This research supports the proposition that successful management of the relationship positively influences the success of public sector IT outsourcing contracts and the effectiveness of the performance measurement system used. An effective relationship complements the performance measurement system effectiveness

Kids Are Kids! A case study of collaborative ICT acceptance and use

This paper examines acceptance and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) within a small non-profit, community based health care organisation. The study described involved a longitudinal multi-method investigation of technology acceptance and use, collecting quantitative and qualitative data over a 6-month period. The results of this study suggest that traditional models of acceptance may not adequately capture the dynamics of technology acceptance in small non-profit organisations within the health sector. The data illustrates the importance of context, people, organisational and systems issues in the use and acceptance of ICT, and the dynamic interaction which changes over time. The key finding from this research suggests that ICT not only supported collaboration, but that the collaborative nature of the organisation was at the core of the success of the information system implementation. The significance of this work and the theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed

Exploring the Links Between Technology Acceptance and Use and the Attainment of Individual and Organizational Goals: A Case Study in the Community Health Sector

This paper examines technology acceptance and use and the associated individual and organisational impacts within a small non-profit, community-based health care organisation. The study described involved a longitudinal multi-method investigation, collecting quantitative and qualitative data over a 7-month period, timed in conjunction with the implementation of a new information system infrastructure. A research model is proposed and explored. The substantial data collected enables comprehensive analysis of the links between technology acceptance and use with the outcomes and impacts of use on individual and organisational goals. Results from this study provide qualitative support for the proposed model, demonstrate the invaluable role of individual commitment to the organisation and to the matching of organisational and individual goals. This work highlights the complexity of the constructs and relationships that influence technology acceptance and outcomes and highlights a need for reconceptualising current models. Results also demonstrate the importance of qualitative methodologies in information systems research. The significance of this work and the implications of the findings are discussed

A survey of public sector information resource management in Australia

The concept of Information Resource Management (IRM) was introduced in the mid-1970?s bythe United States federal government as part of its attempt to reduce the paperwork burden on the general public. Since then, the concept of IRM has evolved and taken on many meanings and diverse interpretations ranging from technical perspectives to ?Information Management perspectives. These diverse interpretations, at least in the Australian context, have held back the successful implementation of IRM in practice. As part of a larger program of research on IRM, a survey of IS/IT executives in some national and state public sector organisations was conducted.Despite the existence of a number of state and federal government policy documents relating to IRM, the survey revealed a lack of penetration of IRM in Australian public sector organisations, a pattern of mixed success and even a lack of awareness of IRM. Factors involved in the success or failure of IRM included awareness of IRM, existence of a CIO role, top-level (CEO) endorsement and strategic planning