Assessing information systems strategy development frameworks in SMEs

Information systems strategies (ISS) are generally believed to be of considerable benefit when planning information systems. The development of ISS is often performed in an ad hoc manner, though it may be undertaken with the support of frameworks. Some of these frameworks include the codification of existing practice, while others are the result of theory development. Some are tried and trusted, while other languish unused. This paper evaluates the usefulness of ISS frameworks in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises. The applicability of the frameworks to these organisations is assessed. The paper demonstrates that the assumptions upon which ISS development models are based may have limited applicability outside their original domain. Finally, a modified framework is proposed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved