Abstract
Global competition and continuous innovation frequently trigger firms to alter their information systems (ISs). Recent studies indicate that the reasons behind IS changes strongly affect the progress of the changes and the benefits from change for firms. Until now change reasons have mainly been neglected in prior research. Hence, it remains unclear which change reasons exist and how exactly they affect IS changes. This paper aims to address this gap. We argue that change reasons affect IS changes because particular reasons result in particular goals that firms pursue with the changes. The goals can only be achieved with certain change types. A change type is a class of changes with similar characteristics, e.g. IS extension or IS merger. The selection of the change type affects the further course of the change and the change benefits. To provide justification for our argument, we first identify change reasons, goals, and types based on prior theory. Then, we develop a mapping that demonstrates the relations between reasons, goals, and types. Finally, we present three case studies to show that IS changes are more beneficial for firms if the reasons, goals, and types correspond with our mapping. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Krell, Katharina; Matook, Sabine; and Rohde, Fiona, "UNDERSTANDING INFORMATION SYSTEM CHANGE: THE RELATION BETWEEN REASONS, GOALS, AND TYPES" (2008). PACIS 2008 Proceedings. 79.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2008/79