Boris David Idler and Konrad Spang
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relevant determinants of IT project decision making and their relevance in corporate practice.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relevant determinants of IT project decision making and their relevance in corporate practice.
Design/methodology/approach
The empiric analysis used in-depth expert interviews (n=18) as method for data collection and qualitative content analysis using evaluative categories for analysis.
Findings
Corporate practice is strongly influenced by descriptive decision making. There is only little use of normative decision models in decision making. In corporate practice little use is made of evaluations to analyze achieved project outputs and impacts to improve decision-making practice. This is the result of several evaluation barriers in organizations.
Research limitations/implications
The sample is restricted to IT projects as the experts are responsible for IT project portfolio management. Also, an industry comparison is not included in the study.
Practical implications
The analysis shows that IT project decision making in corporate practice should include results from descriptive decision theory into project decision processes in corporate practice. More effort should be made in challenging project input data which is relevant for project decision making. By systematically including evaluations for relevant projects, the deviations between planned and achieved project impacts offer valuable feedback for estimators and decision makers.
Originality/value
The paper presents detailed analysis on decision variables and their relevance for IT project decision making in corporate practice. Critical aspects of decision making become clear, such as the aspects of evaluation barriers and the need to incorporate descriptive decision-making aspects into corporate decision processes.
Details
Keywords
David L. Rayome and John A. Stocker
Bulgaria is one of the Eastern European countries attempting to convert from a Central Planned Economy to a free market capitalistic one. Numerous problems have arisen that have…
Abstract
Bulgaria is one of the Eastern European countries attempting to convert from a Central Planned Economy to a free market capitalistic one. Numerous problems have arisen that have prevented this transition from being completed. These problems parallel many of those faced by other nations attempting this transition. This article investigates Bulgaria's attempt to privatise its commercial and industrial enterprises. The key problems concerning investment and risk are identified. Potential solutions are offered that may allow Bulgaria to accomplish its goal of moving towards capitalism and prosperity.
IT is remarkable how great is generally, and often inarticulately, believed to be the influence of books on behaviourism—that the knowledge which books impart can and does…
Abstract
IT is remarkable how great is generally, and often inarticulately, believed to be the influence of books on behaviourism—that the knowledge which books impart can and does stimulate a reader into predictable patterns of behaviour.