Title: How information system investment evaluation is being initiated: an actor network theory perspective

Authors: Fayiz Shrafat; Hayel Ababneh; Wasfi Alrawabdeh

Addresses: Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Management Science, Hashemite University, P.O. Box 150459, Zarqa 13115, Jordan ' Department of Business Administration, Faculty of finance and business administration, Al Al-Bayt University, P.O. Box 130040, Mafraq 25113, Jordan ' Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Management Science, Hashemite University, P.O. Box 150459, Zarqa 13115, Jordan

Abstract: Determining whether investments in information technology (IT) have an impact on firm performance has been and continues to be a major problem for information system (IS) researchers and practitioners. To better understand the often far-reaching implications associated with technology investment and interrelated IS evaluation, this study follows actor-network theory (ANT) as a theoretical lens and interpretive case study as a methodology. This paper seeks to make a contribution to the theory of IS evaluation in a developing country context to close a gap in knowledge by generating new understanding of the IS pre-evaluation practices adopted by a large Jordanian bank. In addressing the above issues the study serves an important objective which is to provide valuable insights regarding the way in which IS investments projects are evaluated, which is currently lacking in both the information systems and the management literature.

Keywords: information systems; information technology; IS investment; IS evaluation; actor network theory; investment evaluation; firm performance; technology investment; developing countries; Jordan; banking industry; banks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2016.076872

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2016 Vol.22 No.3, pp.259 - 279

Received: 30 Nov 2014
Accepted: 08 Jan 2015

Published online: 05 Jun 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article