The control of information systems (IS) projects is a key activity for deployment of information technology (IT) resources and ultimately for value creation through IT. For the last 20 years, research on IS project control has grown to cover a wide range of aspects and issues, including control modes, amounts, and portfolios, control in internal and outsourced settings, and control antecedents, consequences, and dynamics. There is an important theoretical and practical impetus for this research, since the nature of IS projects creates specific and challenging conditions for control, and since control research in neighboring disciplines often neglects temporary endeavors such as projects.
The authors respond to a paper about partial least squares and other statistical research methods. Topics include a distinction between parameterization and correct parameterization, distinguishing between latent constructs and composite variables, and information on Eigenvalues and squared loadings.
Little is known about how individuals come to relate to settings in virtual worlds (VWs), which are defined as digital environments in which individuals, groups, and even organizations interact in virtual (that is to say,nonphysical) spaces. This research develops a theory of virtual space and place (VSP), specifically relating this to the setting of Second Life (SL), a prominent social virtual world. We explore how three-dimensional space, as perceived by users, is able to provide them with an interactive experience with virtual objects, as well as with other VW denizens. To test our theory, we build interactive work tools in SL that are designed to reflect various degrees of motion range and to influence presence. The three information technology tools are evaluated by 150 business professionals who are either familiar or unfamiliar with SL. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
The article presents an introduction to two papers on partial least-squares modeling published in the current issue including "Using PLS Path Modeling for Assessing Hierarchical Construct Models: Guidelines and Empirical Illustration," and "Assessing Between-Group Differences in Information Systems Research: A Comparison of Covariance- and Component-based SEM."
The author focuses on the importance of time. Particular attention is given to the author's reflections on time, his research on previous articles published in "MIS Quarterly" that deal with time, as well as how time is viewed in various research studies and surveys. Article topics include the author's thoughts on the various aspects of time, how Americans generally spend their time, how to use time in building and refining theories and conducing research, Information Systems research, and how the author views time as his term as Editor-in-Chief of the journal draws to a close.
The article offers information and guidelines when using partial least squares (PLS) modeling. The authors discuss the importance of researchers proposing consistent models with available theoretical knowledge. Researchers should also perform data screening as well as examinations of the psychometric properties of all variables in the model. They discuss some of the factors which should be explored by researchers when choosing appropriate sample sizes with PLS modeling.
Information systems outsourcing is an increasingly popular IS management practice in companies of all sizes. Examining the adoption of IS outsourcing from the well-developed theoretical foundation of innovation diffusion may shed some light on significant factors that affect the adoption decision, and clarify some misperceptions. This study explores the sources of influence in the adoption of IS outsourcing. Using a sample of 175 firms that outsourced their IS functions during the period from January 1985 to January 1995, we tested three hypotheses of sources of influences using four diffusion models: internal influence, external influence, and two mixed influence models. Our findings suggest that the mixed influence is the dominant influence factor in the diffusion of IS outsourcing, and that there is no evidence of the "Kodak effect" in the IS diffusion process. This directly contradicts the conclusions of the Loh and Venkatraman (1992) study. Further discussions are provided about the potential problems in studies of influence sources of IT innovation diffusion.
This paper reports a pilot study designed to investigate media and source patterns for managerial information systems across three hierarchical levels of management. Our basic hypothesis is that media and source patterns will differ by management level. Eight executives in a large energy company were used to investigate the hypothesis: three senior executives, three middle-level executives, and two lower-level executives.