Analysing information systems evaluation: another look at an old problem

Authors: Smithson S.¹; Hirschheim R.²

Source: European Journal of Information Systems, Volume 7, Number 3, 1 September 1998 , pp. 158-174(17)

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Abstract:

Information systems (IS) evaluation is a thorny problem. In this paper we re-examine the area in light of recent developments in the field. Our examination begins with an example of a common contemporary IS assessment problem, viz. evaluating outsourcing. The example highlights the organizational and political issues that make evaluation fraught with difficulties. The paper argues that IS evaluation is a ‘necessary evil’ but the context in which IS are developed and used has become much more demanding and complex. A conceptual framework, first proposed in an earlier paper as a way to classify the literature, is presented and brought up to date. The framework is then used to re-examine the outsourcing example, demonstrating the usefulness of the framework.

Document Type: Original article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Information Systems, London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE 2: College of Business Administration, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204–6282, USA

Publication date: 1998-09-01