An Integrative Framework for Contextual Factors Affecting IT Implementation

Abstract

While previous research has provided a great deal of information on individual factors that play a role in IT implementation success, a gap in the research exists when it comes to formulating a holistic view of overall internal environmental factors. This paper conducts a literature review and uses Weill’s conversion effectiveness model to develop a framework integrating the various enterprise-level contextual factors affecting IT implementation. The framework categorizes individual contextual factors into seven groups: path dependencies, project management, management structure, IT competency, socio-technical, complementary investments, and end user. This holistic interpretation of individual factors is an initial step toward understanding the complexities of internal corporate environments and their effects on IT implementation success. The framework can provide companies with a useful tool to evaluate their current environment, determine its strengths and weaknesses, and assess how these will affect IT implementation.