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Moving IS Project Control Research into the Digital Era: The “Why” of Control and the Concept of Control Purpose

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Wiener

    (Information and Process Management, Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452)

  • Magnus Mähring

    (House of Innovation, Stockholm School of Economics, 11383 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Ulrich Remus

    (Information Systems, Production and Logistics Management, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Carol Saunders

    (Information Systems Decision Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620)

  • W. Alec Cram

    (Information and Process Management, Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452)

Abstract

In this research commentary, we argue that the current digital era compels a reconsideration and problematization of research on information systems (IS) project control. IS projects are key to the pursuit of digital innovation and transformation activities, and the control of IS projects is central to creating and capturing value from these activities. However, IS project control research has not kept pace with current developments in the digital era. Specifically, we find that existing research has been dominated by an underlying agency theory perspective, which is not attuned to salient aspects of current control settings, such as digital innovation initiatives, and thus restricts our understanding of IS project control. To address this shortcoming, we problematize core assumptions underlying existing IS project control research and draw on stewardship theory to present an alternative set of assumptions complementing the prevalent agency theory perspective; introduce the concept of control purpose ( why ); offer empirical support for its conceptual distinction between value-appropriation and value-creation control purposes; and develop a research agenda that helps move IS project control research into the digital era.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Wiener & Magnus Mähring & Ulrich Remus & Carol Saunders & W. Alec Cram, 2019. "Moving IS Project Control Research into the Digital Era: The “Why” of Control and the Concept of Control Purpose," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 30(4), pages 1387-1401, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:30:y:2019:i:4:p:1387-1401
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.2019.0867
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Suying Yang & Yanhui Mao & Tao Liu & Conrad Baldner & Scott Roberts & Shaokai Lu, 2023. "Achieving ambidextrous learning in construction engineering project partnerships: the roles of formal control and Chinese guanxi," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(1), pages 431-462, February.
    3. Shraddha Nimish Danani & Janis L. Gogan & Prageet Aeron & Kirti Sharma & Mahadeo Prasad Jaiswal, 2022. "How Do Digital Market Platform Hosts Exercise Control Over Sellers?: Digital Market Platform Sellers Control," Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations (JECO), IGI Global, vol. 20(2), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Cheng, Cong & Wang, Limin, 2022. "How companies configure digital innovation attributes for business model innovation? A configurational view," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    5. Chenglei Xu & Shuxin Zhu & Boru Yang & Bin Miao & Yi Duan, 2023. "A Review of Policy Framework Research on Promoting Sustainable Transformation of Digital Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-26, April.
    6. Evgheni Croitor & Dominick Werner & Martin Adam & Alexander Benlian, 2022. "Opposing effects of input control and clan control for sellers on e-marketplace platforms," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(1), pages 201-216, March.
    7. Marfri Gambal & Aleksandre Asatiani & Julia Kotlarsky, 2022. "Strategic Innovation Through Outsourcing: A Theoretical Review," Papers 2206.00982, arXiv.org.

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