Approaches to the Ex-ante Evaluation of Information Systems: A Critical Review

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

2. THEMATIC BACKGROUND

2.1. Information Systems

2.2. Evaluation

2.3. Value

3. CRITICAL REVIEW OF EVALUATION APPROACHES

3.1. Antecedents to the Review

3.2. Effect-Assessing Approaches

3.3. Effect-Locating Approaches

3.4. Discussion of Usability of Approaches

4. EVALUATION IN PRACTICE

4.1. Review of Empirical Studies

4.2. Interpretation of Empirical Studies

4.3. Discussion and Future Research

5. CONCLUSIONS

A. Overview of Evaluation Approaches

B. Literature Search Strategy

Objectives and Core Topics

This thesis aims to critically review available methods for the ex-ante evaluation of information system (IS) investments. It seeks to answer how these investments can be assessed, their associated strengths and weaknesses, their usability in practice, and the overall role these evaluation approaches play in corporate decision-making processes.

• The theoretical foundation of IS, evaluation, and value as key criteria.
• A classification and critical review of 54 distinct evaluation approaches.
• The practical application of evaluation techniques based on empirical research.
• Identification of research gaps and limitations in current evaluation methodologies.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the significance of IS investment evaluation, highlights current research deficiencies, and defines the core research questions of the thesis.

2. THEMATIC BACKGROUND: Delimits and discusses the three central concepts for this work: information systems, the evaluation process, and the multifaceted notion of value.

3. CRITICAL REVIEW OF EVALUATION APPROACHES: Presents a classification of 54 evaluation methods, reviews representative approaches in detail, and examines their theoretical usability.

4. EVALUATION IN PRACTICE: Analyzes empirical studies to understand how IS evaluation is actually conducted in organizations and the role evaluation approaches play in practice.

5. CONCLUSIONS: Summarizes the thesis, highlighting the discrepancy between existing evaluation theory and practical application while providing recommendations for future research.

Keywords

Information Systems, IS Evaluation, Ex-ante Evaluation, Investment Appraisal, IS Value, Decision Support, Financial Approaches, Indicator Approaches, Multi-criteria Approaches, Stakeholder Management, Productivity Paradox, Organizational Change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this work?

This work provides a critical review of approaches for the ex-ante evaluation of investments in information systems, analyzing both their theoretical basis and their practical application.

What are the central thematic fields covered?

The thesis covers the definition of information systems, the nature of the evaluation process, the concept of value in an IS context, and a systematic classification of various evaluation methods.

What is the primary goal or research question?

The research addresses what approaches are available for ex-ante IS investment evaluation, their strengths and weaknesses, their usability in practice, and what role they play in actual investment appraisal.

Which scientific methods are employed?

The thesis utilizes a comprehensive literature review of both English and German academic sources, combined with an analysis of published empirical studies on IS evaluation practices.

What is covered in the main body?

The main body classifies 54 evaluation approaches into different categories (e.g., financial, indicator, multi-criteria) and discusses their potential, limitations, and the challenges of applying them in real-world business scenarios.

Which keywords characterize the work?

Key terms include Information Systems, IS Evaluation, Ex-ante Evaluation, Investment Appraisal, and the analysis of value within organizational processes.

How do the authors define the "information paradox" mentioned in the text?

The information paradox refers to the difficulty of assessing the value of information ex-ante, as its content must be disclosed to determine its worth, after which the need to acquire the information no longer exists.

Why does the thesis highlight the "formal-rational" versus "interpretive" research perspectives?

These perspectives represent two different approaches: one focused on objective economic performance and efficient choice, the other on the social and subjective nature of evaluation within a political organizational context.