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Revisiting IS business value research: what we already know, what we still need to know, and how we can get there

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  • Guido Schryen

Abstract

The business value of investments in Information Systems (IS) has been, and is predicted to remain, one of the major research topics for IS researchers. While the vast majority of research papers on IS business value find empirical evidence in favour of both the operational and strategic relevance of IS, the fundamental question of the causal relationship between IS investments and business value remains partly unexplained. Three research tasks are essential requisites on the path towards addressing this epistemological question: the synthesis of existing knowledge, the identification of a lack of knowledge and the proposition of paths for closing the knowledge gaps. This paper considers each of these tasks. Research findings include that correlations between IS investments and productivity vary widely among companies and that the mismeasurement of IS investment impact may be rooted in delayed effects. Key limitations of current research are based on the ambiguity and fuzziness of IS business value, the neglected disaggregation of IS investments, and the unexplained process of creating internal and competitive value. Addressing the limitations we suggest research paths, such as the identification of synergy opportunities of IS assets, and the explanation of relationships between IS innovation and change in IS capabilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Guido Schryen, 2013. "Revisiting IS business value research: what we already know, what we still need to know, and how we can get there," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(2), pages 139-169, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:tjisxx:v:22:y:2013:i:2:p:139-169
    DOI: 10.1057/ejis.2012.45
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    Cited by:

    1. Emanuele Gabriel Margherita & Alessio Maria Braccini, 2023. "Industry 4.0 Technologies in Flexible Manufacturing for Sustainable Organizational Value: Reflections from a Multiple Case Study of Italian Manufacturers," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 995-1016, June.
    2. Navitha Singh Sewpersadh, 2023. "Disruptive business value models in the digital era," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-27, December.
    3. Inha Oh & Jungho Kim, 2023. "Frontiers and laggards: Which firms benefit from adopting advanced digital technologies?," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(2), pages 753-766, March.
    4. Ragmoun Wided, 2023. "IT Capabilities, Strategic Flexibility and Organizational Resilience in SMEs Post-COVID-19: A Mediating and Moderating Role of Big Data Analytics Capabilities," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 24(1), pages 123-142, March.
    5. Dzandu, Michael D., 2023. "Antecedent, behaviour, and consequence (a-b-c) of deploying the contact tracing app in response to COVID-19: Evidence from Europe," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    6. Maria Hoffmann Jensen & John Stouby Persson & Peter Axel Nielsen, 2023. "Measuring benefits from big data analytics projects: an action research study," Information Systems and e-Business Management, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 323-352, June.

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