Abstract

In this study, I applied “appreciative inquiry” to enhance understanding of the organizational environment, management practices, and sociocognitive determinants that are associated with successful information systems projects. In a series of 31 interviews and seven focus groups, IT professionals from various ranks and organizations followed an appreciative inquiry method to identify critical success factors of information systems projects. In addition to the traditional factors revealed by previous research on project success, the crucial impact of positive affect among IT professionals on overall project success was discovered. The findings have immediate implications for the management of information systems projects. The study shows that IT organizations need to pay careful attention not only to project management practices and socio-cultural issues. They also need to enhance positive affect among the individuals who are entrusted to design, build and maintain information systems. In addition, the study demonstrated how the affirmative perspective provided by appreciative inquiry can contribute to research.

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