A Review of Research Issues in Evaluation of Information Systems

INTRODUCTION Information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) have become an organizational necessity in order to support routine data processing operations, initiatives for competitive advantage, business transformation exercises in products, organizational structures, work-roles, and patterns of relationships between organizations. IS are critical components of business, taking part in increasingly complex organizational changes, redefining whole markets and industries, as well as the strategies of the firms that compete within them (e.g., increasing focus on the use of the Internet). As information becomes embedded in organizations, in their products and services and in their relationships with partners and customers, IS cannot be separated from human intellect, culture, philosophy and social organizational structures. The cost of IT has plummeted dramatically since the 1960s, while its potentials have increased, generating enormous investment and increasing the pace of IT adoption by organizations. According to the Gartner Group, in 1998 the average IS budget was 4.17% of the organizational revenue. This trend is expected to continue, as most organizations have passed ‘unharmed’ the Millennium landmark and attempt to conquer the arena of eBusiness (KPMG Consulting, 2000).