Michael J. Ginzberg

Key recurrent issues in the MIS implementation process

Previous analyses of the MIS implementation process have focused on the conduct of individual process stages as explanatory of successful or unsuccessful implementation. Process stages, however, involve multiple issues, and it is unlikely that all issues are equally important for good performance at a stage. This article attempts to identify generic implementation issues ᾢ those issues which arise at many process stages. An empirical analysis identified such issues, and suggested that three of them were quite important for differentiating between successful and unsuccessful MIS implementations.

Implementing packaged software

This article presents a model of the implementation process for dedicated packages and describes a research project to test the model undertaken with the cooperation of a major computer vendor. Data were collected from y8 individuals in 18 firms using the package and from the package vendor. The results of the study offer some support for the model, along with suggestions for package implementation for both the customer and package vendor.

DSS design: a systemic view of decision support

A systemic view of DSS can provide a concrete framework for effective design of DSS and can also serve as a basis for accumulating DSS research results.

An organizational contingencies view of accounting and information systems implementation

Abstract Most research on accounting and information systems (A&IS) development and implementation has focused on the individual and small group level phenomena which impact implementation success. While some researchers have considered organizational level variables, no consistent relationships between these variables and A&IS implementation success have yet emerged. To a great extent, this is due to an atheoretical research approach coupled with an undifferentiated view of A&IS. This paper develops a typology of A&IS types based on the nature of the task supported by the system. Theory and the results of research in the organization design area are drawn upon to develop propositions about the differential impacts of eight organizational characteristics on the implementation of different A&IS types. These propositions form an organizational level framework for analyzing A&IS implementation. The propositions can serve as testable hypotheses for future research efforts.

MIS careers—a theoretical perspective

MIS personnel historically have exhibited a disturbingly high rate of turnover, and the job of the MIS manager is increasingly oriented to personnel and staffing problems. The MIS careers literature consistently suggests that what is needed to improve this situation is (1) more attention to formal career planning, and (2) the implementation of a dual career ladder system within the DP/IS organization. A look at the broader literature on organizational careers suggests that these suggestions may not in fact make sense. By considering only a subset of the relevant concepts about careers, we have reached conclusions that are quite possibly erroneous, and have made suggestions that will not likely help. Until further research on MIS personnel and their career needs is accomplished, we will have no valid basis for prescribing solutions to MIS careers problems. Suggestions for needed research are outlined.

Lotus notes ® and collaboration: plus ça change...

Work in organizations is becoming increasingly focused on collaborative work in groups. Groupware is widely touted as the information technology that can support this new mode of work by fostering collaboration. In a study of Lotus Notes®, a popular groupware product, implemented throughout the professional staff of a large American insurance company, we found the impact of groupware to be somewhat different from certain common expectations. While almost everyone was quite pleased with the Notes® implementation and its perceived impact, there was no evidence of a change in the degree of collaboration among organization members. Two key themes are explored as possible explanations for this result: fit of the technology to the organization, and limited training in how best to use this new technology.

MIS and the behavioral sciences: research patterns and prescriptions

Many of the questions of concern to information system (IS) researchers and practitioners are, in essence, behavioral questions. Behavioral considerations in the design and implementation of information systems and in the management of IS professionals are crucial to the successful development and delivery of quality services to users. Implementation of IS may provide a beneficial means to facilitate changes in task design, organizational structure, and social relations. Guidance for interpreting past MIS behavioral research and suggestions for future studies are provided by a proposed research framework. The importance of adopting behavioral science research standards, e.g., theory-based research questions and appropriate methodology, is stressed.

Improving MIS project selection

Organizations develop and install computer-based information systems because they expect their benefits to exceed their costs. Benefits come in all varieties, but our measurement skills are best developed in the area of efficiency improvement--reducing the cost of data processing. Since there are normally more potential projects than available resources, this imbalance in our capacity to measure the full range of benefits can lead to accepting projects of lower overall value than that of some which are rejected. This paper analyzes the impact of present benefits measurement practices, and suggests some possible improvements.

Interorganizational health care systems implementations: an exploratory study of early electronic commerce initiatives.

Changing business practices, customers needs, and market dynamics have driven many organizations to implement interorganizational systems (IOSs). IOSs have been successfully implemented in the banking, cotton, airline, and consumer-goods industries, and recently attention has turned to the health care industry. This article describes an exploratory study of health care IOS implementations based on the voluntary community health information network (CHIN) model.

Impact of the technological environment on programmer/analyst job outcomes

Recent research has shown that key DP/IS personnel job outcomes (e.g., turnover, organizational commitment, job satisfaction) are affected by job design, leadership characteristics, and role variables. This study investigates another class of variables, the technological environment faced by DP/IS personnel, that might impact these job outcomes. The technological environment includes (1) development methodologies employed, (2) project teams and reporting relationships, and (3) work characteristics. Variables from all classes were found to impact DP/IS job outcomes. Over 11 percent of the variance in DP/IS job satisfaction is explained by these variables.