Alberto M. Bento

Systems analysis: a decision approach

Abstract This work presents a meta-theory for deciding which systems analysis method should be used in a given circumstance. The decisions are to be based upon three criteria: (a) scope, (b) structure, and (c) nature of the process to be supported by information systems. Four development strategies are based on: (a) end-user development, (b) inquiring systems, (c) decision analysis, and (d) data analysis. The paper summarizes the decision and data analysis methods, and discusses the inquiring systems method in more detail.

Can End-Users Develop their Own Data-Base Oriented Decision Support Systems?

End-user systems development is one of the key factors for increasing productivity in the end-user and in the MIS department environments. Model oriented Decision Support Systems (DSS) have been developed by end-users quite successfully. Surprisingly, data-base oriented DSS (that would take advantage of massive transactional data-bases created by MIS in the last decades) were not. The objective of this work is to test the ability of end-users to develop data-base oriented DSS in an experimental setting. The overall conclusion is that, given adequate data-base oriented DSS tools and training, users are quite capable of developing their own systems with a reasonably high level of effectiveness and efficiency.

Strategic Information Systems and Business Outcomes

This large-scale study of 1,990 responses from practitioners in a wide range of industries developed and tested a model of relationships among a specific type of strategic information system --strategic performance measurement systems SPMS --characteristics and business outcomes. Using as methodology path analysis and stepwise regression, we found that two SPMS characteristics design purpose and information technology use, together with system effectiveness, explain close to 50% of the SPMS impact on business results.