Empirical Evidence for a Descriptive Model of Implementation

This article presents a model of factors associated with the successful implementation of a computer-based information system or OR/MS model. The model hypothesizes that two classes of variables, model quality and management support, influence attitudes and perceptions of a model or system. The research model also predicts that attitudes and perceptions, management support, system or model quality, decision style and situational and personal factors are related to successful implementation. In general, the relationships in the model receive support from data; however, further research is needed, particularly to provide more evidence on possible causal links in the model. Certain classes of variables are also difficult to relate to implementation success, including decision style and personal and situational factors. If the evidence for the model is considered sufficient to take action, implementation strategies should concentrate on several key variables. First, the quality of the model must be high, both in terms of logic and user interface. Favorable attitudes and perceptions should be stressed during development of a model or system. Management support should be encouraged and solicited and the implementer should try to consider different decision styles. Finally, personal and situational factors are likely to be related to success. The purpose of this article is to summarize the findings of nine empirical studies which furnish data to test hypotheses derived from a descriptive model of implementation. It is hoped that hypothesis testing and models of implementation such as those proposed in Schultz and Slevin (1975) along with empirical studies will provide a better understanding of the variables associated with successful implementation.

Publication History

Received: April 25, 2016
Revised: July 28, 2017; November 8, 2018; October 15, 2019; February 28, 2020
Accepted: March 18, 2020
Published online: June 21, 2021

https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2021/14368

Citation

example citation

===========

Temp Storage

Henry C. Lucas, Jr.  
Year: 1978
Volume 2 
Issue 2
Keyword: implementation, management information systems, systems analysis and design
Page Number: 27-42