Governance-Knowledge Fit in Systems Development Projects.

Author List: Tiwana, Amrit;
Information Systems Research, 2009, Volume 20, Issue 2, Page 180-197.
This study addresses the theoretically underexplored question of how fit between project governance configurations, and the knowledge of specialized information technology (IT) and client departments, influences information systems development (ISD) performance. It conceptualizes project governance configurations using two classes of project decisions rights—decision control rights and decision management rights. The paper then develops a middle-range theory of how governance-knowledge fit shapes ISD performance by influencing the effective exercise of these decision rights during the development process. Further, the two dimensions of ISD performance—efficiency and effectiveness—are shaped by different classes of project decision rights. Data from 89 projects in 89 firms strongly support the proposed ideas. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.
Keywords: decision rights; governance-knowledge fit; middle-range theory; project governance; project management; systems development
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List of Topics

#135 0.231 project projects development management isd results process team developed managers teams software stakeholders successful complex develop contingencies problems greater planning
#127 0.208 systems information research theory implications practice discussed findings field paper practitioners role general important key grounded researchers domain new identified
#76 0.192 governance relational mechanisms bpo rights process coordination outsourcing contractual arrangements technology benefits view informal business formal exchange hybrid complementarity flexibility
#295 0.132 task fit tasks performance cognitive theory using support type comprehension tools tool effects effect matching types theories modification working time
#8 0.078 decision making decisions decision-making makers use quality improve performance managers process better results time managerial task significantly help indicate maker