Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: The increasing concern that Information Systems (IS) are not delivering anticipated value and benefits is demonstrated by the continuing strive for improved methods for assessing returns.In this paper the authors suggest that the improvement lies in better understanding the experiences and tacit knowledge of multiple IS stakeholders and not in quantitative evaluation methods.Using previous case material and current literature in IS evaluation, the authors argue that IS evaluation is a highly complex social process, where context is allimportant.The authors contend that an interpretive approach to IS evaluation can play a key role and help understand the complexity surrounding this area.What is problematic is the articulation and subsequent dissemination of the tacit knowledge amongst IS users which is required to facilitate greater understanding of the evaluation process.The paper argues that this problem can be addressed by the adoption of a more active role for the social actors in the situation, together with the exploitation of knowledge-based technologies.This approach will improve interpretive evaluation by promoting a culture of articulation, collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Language: English
Subfield: Management Information Systems
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1536918261