Key Issues in Information Systems Management Surveys: Methodological Issues and Choices in a Norwegian Context

Information systems (IS) departments face many challenges in today’s rapidly changing environment. One approach to understanding the challenges faced by IS departments is to survey IS managers to elicit what they consider are key issues. Key issues in IS management surveys have been conducted for many years in many nations and regions. However, most of these surveys lack a theoretical basis for the selection of key issues. Furthermore, most studies have used a multi-round Delphi method. Recently, the analysis of key issues in IS management has been extended by a multimethod approach using Q methodology and interpretive structural modeling. This paper provides an overview of research approaches to key issues studies combined with results from previous research. The paper presents methodological issues and choices for a planned survey on key issues in IS management in Norway in 1999. A three step procedure for key issues selection is introduced, and a multimethod approach for analysis is adopted. Since this research is at an early stage, the paper primarily serves as a basis for discussion and feedback to improve the quality of the proposed study.