The relationship between procedural formalization in MIS development and MIS success: A contingent analysis

Abstract The relationship between the degree of procedural formalization (adherence to prespecified procedures) in MIS development and MIS success has not previously been analysed. Here it was examined under various organizational contingencies, such as top management support, size of organization, size of MIS department, age of MIS department, and level of structuring of the task to be replaced or supported by an information system (IS). For the analysis, idealized standard phases of MIS development procedure based on an information system (IS) development life cycle (ISDLC) were devised through a review of relevant literature, practitioners' reflections and logical reasoning. The empirical results indicate that the degree of procedural formalization of MIS development and MIS success are strongly correlated, and the relationship between these two variables is significantly influenced by various contingency variables. Overall, the results of the study suggest that IS developers should adapt their level of procedural formalization to the situation and that it is of great importance, particularly for firms with lower levels of management effectiveness.

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