Ten Guidelines for the Implementation of Information Systems : Research in Progress

This paper presents a Model for Implementation of Information Systems (IS). Its focusis on the organizational aspects of an IS implementation, where the objective is tosecure that the to-be IS users will use the to-be IS; hence hardware, software, andother aspects of the information technology itself are not accounted by this model.The key challenge addressed here is the many reported failures of IS implementationas derived from the organizational challenges rather than purely informationtechnology. The proposed model is built on the so-called Organization InformationSystem paradigm that regards an organization and its IS as one conceptual unitrather than considering the IS as an adjunct to the organization – the latter typical forthe conventional Management Information System paradigm. Therefore, the ISimplementation is contextualised within a process for the development oforganizations, and proposes the “Effect-Behaviour-Resource-Influence Loop” as amechanism of change, of the changed organization. In this, it is the influence of theresources – human and machines – that changes the behaviour that in turn leads tothe change of effects, toward the desired state. Further, the proposed Model forInformation System Implementation provides also three needs of an organization tobe subjected of an IS intervention; these are the “change Motivation”, the “changeCapability”, and the “change Ability”. The proposed model is an outcome of a set ofcase studies of IS implementation, conducted in an Action Research mode, andinformed by selected theoretical bodies as well as the empirical challenge tosuccessfully implement an IS. The key contribution of this model is its empiricalexperience and its comprehensive approach to an IS implementation, rather than ananalytical focusing on a few variables only. However, the proposed model is still in itshypothetical phase of theory development, and is in a need of both further crossfertilisationwith various theoretical bodies as well as further empirical experience,where validations and modifications are made