Extracting appropriate scope for information systems: a case study

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the practical suitability of the frameworks of Tillema and Dixon et al. for assessing the scope of information systems (IS). The study also investigates whether these frameworks help determine an appropriate scope for a new IS before implementation.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data from a case company. The company is a middle‐sized Finnish international technology company with about 1,000 employees.FindingsBoth frameworks are useful in assessing scope. The integrated contingency framework (ICF) by Tillema lacks detailed suggestions of how to design an IS. The performance measurement questionnaire (PMQ) by Dixon et al. makes it possible to determine detailed information requirements in addition to an appropriate scope.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has the general case study limitations.Practical implicationsCompanies should utilize both ICF and PMQ frameworks when implementing IS. ICF allows determination of the general scope of IS whereas PMQ enables investigation of the specific measures of IS.Originality/valueEarlier IS scope contingency theory studies used few contingency factors, and were primarily quantitative and so did not provide useful frameworks for determining scope in practice. ICF and PMQ are exceptions but their usability in determining the appropriate IS scope is not evaluated in earlier studies. This study also combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches; which has been a limitation of earlier studies.