This paper presents an exploratory case study to examine information systems development(ISD)processes in a low methodology maturity environment,and to understand the role of control mechanisms in project success.The ...This paper presents an exploratory case study to examine information systems development(ISD)processes in a low methodology maturity environment,and to understand the role of control mechanisms in project success.The case involves the development of a large scale information system,which progressed without a fully-defined"master plan"or much reliance on formal methodologies,but was successfully launched nevertheless despite some delay.Data were analyzed from the lens of control theory.Results show that clan control emerged as a dominant form of informal control in a high complexity and low methodology maturity environment.Moreover,end-to-end user participation through collocation with the developers served as effective outcome control,which appeared to be a critical success factor.The reliance on behavior control was marginal,although the project manager's effective leadership as a form of self-control also played a role in project success.This work contributes to ISD research in general and the development of a control perspective to user participation in ISD.展开更多
文摘This paper presents an exploratory case study to examine information systems development(ISD)processes in a low methodology maturity environment,and to understand the role of control mechanisms in project success.The case involves the development of a large scale information system,which progressed without a fully-defined"master plan"or much reliance on formal methodologies,but was successfully launched nevertheless despite some delay.Data were analyzed from the lens of control theory.Results show that clan control emerged as a dominant form of informal control in a high complexity and low methodology maturity environment.Moreover,end-to-end user participation through collocation with the developers served as effective outcome control,which appeared to be a critical success factor.The reliance on behavior control was marginal,although the project manager's effective leadership as a form of self-control also played a role in project success.This work contributes to ISD research in general and the development of a control perspective to user participation in ISD.
