Information systems planning and effectiveness: An empirical analysis

Abstract

The relationship between information systems (IS) planning and IS planning effectiveness has been an important issue discussed in the literature. Most prior studies in this area have been conceptual; the few empirical studies which have addressed this issue have used rather simple conceptualizations of the notion of planning. This present research study is an attempt to propose and test an empirical model of IS planning effectiveness. The study identifies and uses five distinct dimensions of planning systems which are generally believed to influence IS planning effectiveness. Planning effectiveness is also conceptualized as a multi-faceted construct and a set of multiple objectives are used for assessing planning effectiveness. Data for the study consist of responses by a random sample of IS executives to a questionnaire survey. Results indicate that the effectiveness of IS planning systems vary significantly along four of the five dimensions and suggest that the attention given to these dimensions can influence the effectiveness of planning systems.