MIS’s impact on organizations’effectiveness : A comparative study on two different organizations 

Information system’s impact on organization’s effectiveness is a well-researched scientific area and has over the years grown exponentially. Information systems exist in order to intensify the information flow within an organization, at all levels, specifically to allow set of data to reach the designated person, in the right format, and at the right time, generating a positive and beneficial contribution to the organization. This qualitative thesis aims to investigate two different implementations of information systems and its result on the respective organization’s effectiveness. The thesis uses three factors, Time-saving, Workload, and System Reliability, to distinguish users’ perceptions and experience with the system and how they affect the organization’s effectiveness. An interpretative method is used, due to the paradigm’s focus on social constructions and human interpretations to explain reality. In total were seven (7) interviews conducted, three at Organization A, and four at Organization B. The result of the findings shows that the implementation of a new MIS (Management Information System) has a greater impact on an organization’s effectiveness, compared to an older system that gets updated and add-ons. However, when comparing the first versions of the older MIS with the latest, the findings showed a large improvement in all factors as well. Although, the responses highlighted that there are still several problems that need to be fixed in the older MIS in order for it to reach a better level of satisfaction by its users, but also to achieve better effectiveness. Additionally, the result showed that within Organization B, which utilizes the older system, there were external- and internal factors that were not affected by the MIS, that dictated, to an extent, the workload and if time could be spared. The thesis helps researchers and organizations alike to better understand the importance of a well-adapted MIS, in terms of the organization's goals, and the importance of increased recognition from the user organization when a system should be discontinued. Furthermore, this thesis helps us to better understand the result of two of the most common IS implementations. The implementation of information systems is challenging for organizations since most are put into place without a practical- and efficient implementation strategy, focusing on wrong critical factors. By comparing differences between different implementation of management information systems, focusing on how the chosen approach affects the effectiveness in each organization, a better grasp, and understanding of an area that lacks research and attention is highlighted.