Hsiao, Rueylin (1999) Rediscovering the IT productivity paradox : the alignment and dynamics of IT-enabled change. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

There is a growing recognition that sustainable competitive advantage requires a
viable integration between information technology (IT) and organisational change.
Increasingly, firms are interested in the transfer of IT-related best practices in the
hope that fundamental organisational change will thereby be achieved. However, the
investment in IT is often disproportionate to the benefits obtained. This issue of what
has been referred to as the IT productivity paradox requires a re-examination of the
organisational dynamics rather than a mere proclamation of the insufficiency of best
practices. In this study, the re-examination is based on the viewpoint of alignment
and contextualism. To achieve this aim, the study is divided into two phases. Phase
one uses five cases to investigate the alignment behaviour of organisational change,
and proposes four change patterns. Phase two uses one in-depth case study to explore
the problem of IT-enabled change backfire and enhance the contextualism
perspective of change in terms of four propositions (underlying logic, reciprocal
causality, time effect and frame awareness). This conceptualisation offers a socialscientific
perspective on the analysis of the IT productivity paradox, and draws out
the practical implications for change management based on a "reflective transfer"
model that complements the planned approach. The research adds to current
understanding of the IT productivity paradox by highlighting the importance of the
alignment and dynamics of organisational change.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Organizational change -- Case studies, Information technology
Official Date:	March 1999
Dates:	Date Event March 1999 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Ormerod, Richard ; McGee, John, Ph. D.
Extent:	379 leaves
Language:	eng

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