Examining Assumptions: Provocations on the Nature, Impact, and Implications of IS Theory

2021 | Management Information Systems Quarterly | Citations: 0

Authors: Burton-Jones, Andrew; Butler, Brian S; Scott, Susan V; Xu, Sean Xin

Abstract: The Information Systems research community has a complex relationship with theo ... Expand

Abstract: The Information Systems research community has a complex relationship with theory and theorizing. As a community of scholars, our assumptions about theory and theorizing affect every aspect of our intellectual lives. Ideas about what theory is, who theorizes, where theory comes from, when we theorize, how theory is developed and changes, and why theory is (or isn't) important shapes the projects we do, the partnerships we have, the resources available to us, and phenomena that we find to be significant, interesting, and novel.Despite its prominent place in our thinking, it is often difficult to critically examine the assumptions we make about theory and theorizing. Our assumptions affect our priorities, decision, and actions. How we think about theory and its role in our individual and collective intellectual lives is a product of complex paths and multiple influences. Although we may try to stay mindful of how our assumptions shape our perspectives and ways of thinking, from time to time we need to look beyond them. Collapse

Topics: pandemic IT investment big data IT productivity online auction

Methods: theory development design guideline theoretical contribution design science survey

Theories: technology acceptance model sociomaterialism theory information systems theory privacy calculus theory

The impact of Mobile ICT on national productivity in developed and developing countries

2021 | Information & Management | Citations: 1

Authors: Kim, Jinho; Park, Jong Chool; Komarek, Timothy

Abstract: This paper examines the influence of mobile Information and Communication Techno ... Expand

Abstract: This paper examines the influence of mobile Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on national productivity by separating ICT factors into wired and mobile infrastructures. Using a unique data set that in­ cludes global wired and mobile internet speeds, we find that mobile ICT plays an important role in increasing national productivity in developing countries; however, we find no significant impact of wired ICT for either developed or developing countries. This work contributes to the literature by providing deeper insights into the impact of ICT on global productivity by specifying the ICT factors (which are combined in previous research) as wired and mobile ICT. Collapse

Topics: mobile system productivity internet technology IT investment mobile phone

Methods: regression analysis method instrumental variables estimation longitudinal research difference in differences descriptive statistic

Theories: theory of economic growth

TOWARDS A REFERENCE VALUE CATALOGUE FOR A COMPANY-SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT OF THE IT BUSINESS VALUE – PROPOSING A TAXONOMY TO SELECT IT IMPACTS FROM EXISTING CATALOGUES

2021 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Seufert, Sarah; Wulfert, Tobias; Wernsdörfer, Jan

Abstract: Despite a general agreement on the business value of information technology (IT ... Expand

Abstract: Despite a general agreement on the business value of information technology (IT), the determination of the link between organizational performance and IT investments is still a challenge. Organizations worldwide heavily invest in IT without evidence of productivity improvements. We propose value catalogues as a starting point for the identification of IT business value in an organization. Since the values vary depending on the organizational context, a company-specific value catalogue is necessary. To avoid the repeated development of a catalogue for each new IT investment, a company-specific reference value catalogue is required. Applying a design science research method, we identified four steps to develop this reference value catalogue: catalogue selection, impact selection, hierarchy establishment, and quantification determination. In this paper, we focus on the first step, which resembles the rigor cycle, and develop a taxonomy for 32 existing IT value catalogues, which form the basis for the next three steps. Collapse

Topics: IS value IT investment IS impact IT workforce IS management

Methods: design science qualitative interview literature study survey case study

The Usefulness of the Two-Step Normality Transformation in Retesting Existing Theories: Evidence on the Productivity Paradox

2021 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Templeton, Gary F.; Brian Pope, Michael; Burney, Laurie L.

Abstract: The Two-Step normality transformation has been shown to reliably transform conti ... Expand

Abstract: The Two-Step normality transformation has been shown to reliably transform continuous variables toward normality. The procedure offers researchers a capable alternative to more prominent methods, such as winsorization, ranking, and power transformations. We demonstrate its utility in the context of the Productivity Paradox literature stream, which is renowned for inconsistent results. This paper demonstrates that the Two-Step normality transformation, which has not been used in Productivity Paradox research, may produce greater goodness-of-fit and affect theoretical understandings on the topic. We use a classic Productivity Paradox dataset to show that compared to the prominent normality transformations, the Two-Step produces unique findings, including 1) regression coefficients more closely resembling the original data, 2) different effect sizes and significance levels, and 3) strengthening evidence for fundamental theories in Productivity Paradox literature. We demonstrate results that challenge uncertainties about the relationship between IT investment and firm performance. Our results imply that the Two-Step procedure should be considered a viable transformation option in future information systems research. Collapse

Topics: productivity organizational productivity IT investment IT productivity paradox decision support system

Methods: ANOVA parametric test regression analysis method computational algorithm meta analysis

HOW DOES IT EFFECTIVE USE IMPACT NPD PROJECT SUCCESS? AN IT FUNCTIONAL APPROACH FOR COLLABORATIVE BUYER-SUPPLIER NPD

2020 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Talas, Yassine; benhayoun, Lamiae; Dain, Marie-Anne Le

Abstract: Buying firms collaborate with suppliers in New Product Development (NPD) to bet ... Expand

Abstract: Buying firms collaborate with suppliers in New Product Development (NPD) to better leverage their resources and knowledge. Prior studies' results on IT contribution to NPD project performance are mixed, and none investigated this effect for collaborative buyer-supplier NPD projects. This study adopts a contextual functional approach to explore how the effective use of IT functionalities for the three classical IT-enabled NPD activities, namely Project and Process Management (PRM), Knowledge Management (KM), and Cooperative Work (CW), impacts NPD project success in terms of project performance but also regarding the contextual factor of collaboration quality. A series of multiple linear regressions is performed to test these effects using data from a survey with 90 firms involved in collaborative NPD projects with suppliers. As results, the effective use of all IT functionalities directly improves collaboration quality, while only KM directly affects project performance. PRM and CW contribute to this performance only indirectly through collaboration quality. Hence, this study emphasizes the importance of considering a functional approach when studying the impact of IT effective use on NPD project success, and of taking into account the project context. Additionally, it incites practitioners to build a conducive collaboration climate to benefit from using IT functionalities. Collapse

Topics: project productivity information system use innovation management new product development interorganizational system

Methods: multiple linear regression conceptual modelling survey regression analysis method descriptive statistic

Theories: resource based view of the firm

What IT Factors Increase Productivity?

2019 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Kim, Kevin; Guerra, Katia; Bhagat, Sarbottam

Abstract: During the 1970's and 80's, the overall productivity within the United States b ... Expand

Abstract: During the 1970's and 80's, the overall productivity within the United States began to slow down despite the rapid development of IT. With this slowdown, organizations all over the world began to question the value that IT brought to organizations. Their rationale was quite simple in the sense that if they invested, for example, a million dollars into infrastructure, computers, software, and personnel, then they expected some form of return on their investment. Otherwise, what would be the point in spending money on something that would bring them closer to bankruptcy instead of higher profits? The early attempts at providing insight into valuing IT proved to be quite difficult for such a simple question. Within a few years and some supporting data, researchers were able to shed some insight into the causes. Their analysis and results supported the understanding that IT did bring value to organizations but further research would be necessary in order to uncover the whole truth.Within the past two decades, the tone around IT's value has been changing from skepticism and disbelief into a fervent following in the necessity of IT in order for businesses to survive. With the success of organizations such as Google, Alibaba, and Amazon, industry experts and organizations all over the world are realizing that IT is no longer an unknown luxury. Some may argue that it has become equivalent to simply doing business or not doing it at all. Our research question aims to shed insight on the dramatic shift from the IT Productivity Paradox to IT Necessity. To be more specific, what IT factors influence increased profitability within organizations. Collapse

Topics: IT productivity paradox

Antecedents of ERP assimilation and its impact on ERP value: A TOE-based model and empirical test

2017 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Xu, Wenjuan; Ou, Peiyu; Fan, Weiguo

Abstract: Drawing on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and prior IT ... Expand

Abstract: Drawing on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and prior IT assimilation literature, we develop and test an integrated model of ERP assimilation and value in Chinese firms. We also contrast the strength of the antecedents of ERP assimilation and value across different ownership types. Our empirical results using a survey data showed that relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, top management support, organization fit, financial commitment and competitive pressure are significant predictors for ERP assimilation. We also found that the linkage from ERP assimilation to ERP value is very significant. In addition, the strength of the antecedents of ERP assimilation and value varies dramatically across different firm ownership types. Our study confirms that traditional diffusion of innovation attributes, top management support and competitive pressure are significant during the whole ERP life cycle. Our findings also emphasize and validate the importance of ERP assimilation in improving firm performance, and provide evidence for the continued debate on ERP payoff and information technology productivity paradox. In sum, these findings provide insights into how ERP assimilation and ERP value are influenced by contextual elements, and how the impacts may vary across different ownership types. Collapse

Topics: enterprise resource planning top management support financial performance digital innovation business process management

Methods: survey data transformation partial least squares regression confirmatory factor analysis factor analysis

Theories: theory of everything organizational theory

Can HIT Work Alone? A Security and Socio-Economic Perspective of Healthcare Quality

2016 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Pal, Shounak; Biswas, Baidyanath; Mukhopadhyay, Arunabha

Abstract: Healthcare delivery system can immensely benefit from the use of HIT (Healthcare ... Expand

Abstract: Healthcare delivery system can immensely benefit from the use of HIT (Healthcare Information Technology). Clinical and administrative automation in hospitals can improve clinical quality through reduced mortality. Previous literature has failed to identify the impact of security technology usage and socio-economic factors on clinical quality improvement. Our paper addresses this gap through the securityHIT interaction and socio-economic impact on overall clinical quality. We used OLS based regression technique to validate our model. We combined survey data of U.S. hospitals from Dorenfest Institute and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from 2011 to 2013. Results from our study will guide healthcare professionals to understand the interaction effect of security, effective technology integration in clinical and administrative automation systems. We also strong evidence of socio-economic impact on mortality rate reduction. Collapse

Topics: health information system IT security defense electronic authentication intrusion detection system process automation system

Methods: descriptive statistic regression analysis method ordinary least square survey

Mediation effect of business process and supply chain management capabilities on the impact of IT on firm performance: Evidence from Chinese firms

2016 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 11

Authors: Peng, Jianping; Quan, Jing; Zhang, Guoying; Dubinsky, Alan J.

Abstract: a b s t r a c tMotivated by the seeming presence of the productivity paradox in ... Expand

Abstract: a b s t r a c tMotivated by the seeming presence of the productivity paradox in China, this research revisits the question of how information technology (IT) affects firm performance. Leveraging the process-based view of IT, we establish a theoretical framework for the mediation factors for the relationship between IT capabilities and performance. Based on a survey of 127 companies in China, we find that a firm's management capabilities to manage both its internal and external business processes fully mediate the impact of IT on firm performance. The two management capabilities in this study are business-process management capability and supply-chain management capability. Our results show that only the coherent integration of IT capability with firm's ability to optimize business processes and to improve management of supply chains can enhance firm performance. Firms should avoid the fallacy that IT investments are solely responsible for better firm performance. Based on our findings, we discuss the implications for research and practice. Collapse

Topics: business process management supply chain management organizational productivity information technology capability organizational value

Methods: survey regression analysis method data transformation path analysis instrumental variables estimation

The impact of technology type and life cycle on IT productivity variance: A contingency theoretical perspective

2016 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 2

Authors: Xu, Xiaobo; Zhang, Weiyong; Li, Ling

Abstract: a b s t r a c tThe relationship between IT investment and performance improveme ... Expand

Abstract: a b s t r a c tThe relationship between IT investment and performance improvement has been a classic research subject. In earlier research it was characterized as the famous "IT productivity paradox." Decades of research effort later, many IS/IT researchers no longer consider this relationship paradoxical, but it remains a challenge to fully explain "IT productivity variance," that is, a large portion of unexplainable performance variance observed in empirical studies. In this paper, we take a theory development approach to this important issue. Our effort focuses on examining the theoretical foundation of "IT productivity variance." Through literature review, we identify and contrast three prevailing theoretical perspectives to suggest the plausibility of a contingency approach. Contextual factors can significantly affect the relationship between IT investment and performance improvement. We identified three such factors that were not thoroughly examined: level of performance measurement, technology type, and technology life cycle. We subsequently propose a contingency model in light of these factors, and develop a set of research propositions. Our effort is a first-step toward bridging a major gap in the literature. The proposed model, while awaiting empirical validation, can provide useful guidance to practicing managers. Collapse

Topics: IT productivity IT investment IT productivity paradox digital innovation disruptive innovation

Methods: theory development literature study

Theories: microeconomic theory resource based view of the firm institutional theory contingency theory