A normative model for assessing SME IT
Michael Curry
Byron Marshall
Peter Kawalek
2134/28363
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/A_normative_model_for_assessing_SME_IT/9501422
Information technology (IT) is a key enabler of modern small businesses, yet fostering reliably
effective IT systems remains a significant challenge. This paper presents a light weight IT
effectiveness model for small businesses to assess their IT and formulate strategies for
improvement. Employing an action research approach we investigate a mixed method analysis of 120 survey responses from small family businesses and user participation in 10 semi-structured interviews. We then conduct critical reflection to identify refinements which are validated using 72 survey responses from university students. The results present compelling evidence that employees’ normative patterns (norms) are a significant driver of IT effectiveness in a second order PLS predictive model able to explain 26% of observed variance. A norms-based approach to IT effectiveness helps fill a significant research and managerial gap for organizations unable or unwilling to adopt IT best practice frameworks used by large organizations. Our findings imply that comparing norms to IT best practices may offer a less technical approach to assessing IT operations, which may be well suited to small businesses. Although further investigation cycles are needed to systematically test this model, we encourage small business managers to: 1) anticipate IT risks and mitigate them; 2) identify measures of IT performance, and monitor them, and 3) review/synchronize business and IT goals.
2018-02-02 11:57:48
SME
IT effectiveness
IT governance
Information systems
Action research
Information Systems
Library and Information Studies
Computer Software
Business and Management not elsewhere classified