Brent Furneaux

An exploration of organizational level information systems discontinuance intentions

Limited attention has been directed toward examining post-adoption stages of the information system life cycle. In particular, the final stages of this life cycle have been largely ignored despite the fact that most systems eventually reach the end of their useful life. This oversight is somewhat surprising given that end-of-life decisions can have significant implications for user effectiveness, the value extracted from IS investments, and organizational performance. Given this apparent gap, a multi-method empirical study was undertaken to improve our understanding of organizational level information system discontinuance. Research commenced with the development of a broad theoretical framework consistent with the technology-organization-environment (TOE) paradigm. The resulting framework was then used to guide a series of semi-structured interviews with organizational decision makers in an effort to inductively identify salient influences on the formation of IS discontinuance intentions. A set of research hypotheses were formulated based on the understanding obtained during these interviews and subsequently tested via a random survey of senior IS decision makers at U.S. and Canadian organizations. Data obtained from the survey responses was analyzed using partial least squares (PLS). Results of this analysis suggest that system capability shortcomings, limited availability of system support, and low levels of technical integration were key determinants of increased intentions to replace an existing system. Notably, investments in existing systems did not appear to significantly undermine organizational replacement intentions despite support for this possibility from both theory and our semi-structured interviews.

Towards an evaluation framework for knowledge management systems

In this paper we develop an evaluation framework for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS). The framework builds on the theoretical foundations underlying organizational Knowledge Management (KM) to identify key KM activities and the KMS capabilities required to support each activity. These capabilities are then used to form a benchmark for evaluating KMS. Organizations selecting KMS can use the framework to identify gaps and overlaps in the extent to which the capabilities provided and utilized by their current KMS portfolio meet the KM needs of the organization. Other applications of the framework are also discussed.

Task-Technology Fit Theory: A Survey and Synopsis of the Literature

Over the past decade there has been a notable increase in the use of Task-Technology Fit (TTF) theory within the field of information systems. This theory argues that information system use and performance benefits are attained when an information system is well-suited to the tasks that must be performed. As such, it seeks to offer an account of two of the key outcomes of interest to information systems (IS) researchers. Continued interest in the application of TTF theory is therefore expected and, as a result, the following chapter aims to provide a brief overview of the theory and how it has been applied in prior work. Readers are presented with an overview of the diverse range of research contexts and methodologies that have been used to test and extend TTF theory. Key outcomes of interest to TTF researchers are also examined as are the various approaches that researchers have used to operationalize the notion of TTF. It is hoped that this overview will serve as a sound basis for future research and simultaneously help to ensure that IS research does not continue to tread the same ground.

The end of the information system life: a model of is discontinuance

Considerable information systems (IS) research has sought to understand the adoption, implementation, and use of information systems. In contrast, the literature offers only limited insight into end-of-life issues such as those surrounding the nature of, and basis for, organizational IS discontinuance. This situation, in conjunction with the dramatic impact that discontinuance can have on organizational performance and measures of system success, suggests a strong need for further research. Since the absence of sound theoretical frameworks can impede such research, this paper offers a theoretical model of IS discontinuance that seeks to account for organizational intention to discontinue the use of an information system. The model is based on the premise that forces contributing to the formation of discontinuance intentions are opposed by inertial tendencies in favor of the status quo. Environmental change and organizational initiative are posited to be the two broad forces driving an information system toward the end of its useful life. Organizational investments in the system, system embeddedness within the organization, and mimetic isomorphism are then seen to constrain the extent to which change forces lead to the emergence of organizational discontinuance intentions. A series of propositions are offered and related guidance is provided for those interested in pursuing further research. An exploration of how the proposed model can be generalized to other discontinuance decisions such as the decision to terminate the use of an IS standard or management practice is also offered for interested readers.

Theorizing in Information Systems Research: Some Preliminary Findings

Information systems (IS) research employs a wide range of theory, drawn from numerous disciplines. Over the course of the past three decades, the proliferation of theory has created considerable diversity, leading to calls for greater reflection on the nature of this diversity. Thus, this study seeks to examine the state of IS theorizing through a review of recent publications in one of the fields leading journals. The findings confirm the presence of considerable conceptual diversity within the field. A paradigmatic model is developed to frame the most salient relationships revealed in the research. The paper identifies common theories encountered in the field, along with key constructs, and the contacts under which these constructs are studied. The paper also suggests the presence of some relatively unexplored areas for potential future theorizing

Beyond Cognitions: A Call for Greater Consideration of Emotion in Information Systems Decision Theories

Information systems (IS) research often attempts to examine and explain how technology leads to outcomes through usage of information technology (IT). Although extensive research in this area has resulted in a significant number of theories, limited work has been done on integrating these theories. This paper presents adaptive structuration theory (AST) as a meta-theory for examining IS within a socio-technical systems (STS) context. Two main contributions are: 1) an understanding of meta-theory and how it fits with other meta-studies and 2) applying AST as a meta-theory to: A) achieve deeper domain understanding, B) provide an overarching perspective for reviewing literature and linking existing theories, and C) build and test better domain specific theories of IS within STS. The paper also provides illustrations on reviewing literature using AST in the virtual team domain as well as an illustration of theory development using meta-theory in the domain of technology-mediated learning.

Impediments to Information Systems Replacement: A Calculus of Discontinuance

Abstract Relatively little attention has been directed toward examining information system (IS) obsolescence and replacement despite the significant organizational resources invested in such systems. Current understanding is, as a result, both incomplete and relatively preliminary in nature. In particular, there is an important need for research that identifies impediments to system replacement. We therefore draw on protection motivation theory to formulate a model of IS discontinuance that explains how the replacement of obsolete systems is constrained by the risks associated with replacing these systems, the resources that have been invested in them, their complexity, and institutionalized norms that reflect dominant views concerning preferred IS solutions. Partial least squares (PLS) and covariance based structural equation modeling (SEM) of survey data obtained from 112 senior-level IS managers indicates that replacement risks contribute to decreased replacement intentions while system investments and complexity are linked to increased replacement risks. Institutional norms were also found to indirectly contribute to replacement risks through their positive influence on system investments. The proposed model of discontinuance calculus thus demonstrates the importance of managing risks, system complexity, and system investments to ensure that obsolete systems do not become a significant impediment to organizational effectiveness.

An integrated model of innovation drivers for smaller software firms

We study the innovation practice of smaller software firms in a regional cluster in England.We provide an integrated model of innovation drivers for smaller software firms.Key smaller firm innovation drivers are external knowledge leverage, leadership and team process.Software innovators adapt their own tools and methods rather than use specialized innovation tools. High-technology innovation is essential for economic development in industrialized societies. However, innovation practice in smaller software companies has received little attention. We derive software innovation drivers and outputs from a fragmented literature and analyze their empirical relevance using qualitative data from 25 in-depth interviews with software executives in the Silicon Fen. Repeating patterns in the data set revealed through content analysis show that the most important innovation drivers for smaller software firms are external knowledge, leadership and team processes. Specialized innovation tools and techniques are hardly used. We develop a model of software innovation drivers, together with explorative theoretical propositions.

Innovation Drivers and Outputs for Software Firms

Software innovation, the ability to produce novel and useful software systems, is an important capability for software development organizations and information system developers alike. However, the software development literature has traditionally focused on automation and efficiency while the innovation literature has given relatively little consideration to the software development context. As a result, there is a gap in our understanding of how software product and process innovation can be managed. Specifically, little attention has been directed toward synthesizing prior learning or providing an integrative perspective on the key concepts and focus of software innovation research. We therefore identify 93 journal articles and conference papers within the domain of software innovation and analyse repeating patterns in this literature using content analysis and causal mapping. We identify drivers and outputs for software innovation and develop an integrated theory-oriented concept map. We then discuss the implications of this map for future research.

IMPROVING THE PREDICTABILITY OF IT INVESTMENT BUSINESS VALUE

Limitations in our ability to adequately forecast the expected value of IT investments represent a notable impediment to efforts to develop business cases that can be relied upon when making IT investment decisions. This undermines the effectiveness of these decisions and threatens the benefits that a portfolio of IT investments ultimately delivers. Since IT investment decisions have direct implications for the business value generated by IT and for organizational performance in general, this research aims to offer insights that help managers reduce the gap between the expected value of IT investments and the value that these investments actually deliver. Drawing on prior work that suggests the importance of reference classes to overcoming forecast uncertainty, we identify six distinct classes of IT investments. We evaluate the utility of these reference classes using a dataset of 486 post investment reviews (PIRs) from a large international organization. Results of our analysis indicate that cost reduction initiatives deliver more of their expected business value than revenue generating investments. Further to this, the accuracy of forecasts for initiatives that extend existing revenue streams are better than for initiatives that seek to establish entirely new revenue streams. These findings can be used as an input for practitioners seeking to determine the efficiency of their IT portfolio, improve the impact of their investments, or improve the accuracy of their business cases. They can also be used by those seeking to better understand the IT business value assessment process.