Sensing Attributes of an Agile Information System
ABSTRACT
Information Systems (IS) agility is a current topic of interest in the IS industry. The study follows up on the work on the definition of the construct of IS agility which is defined as the ability of IS to sense a change in real time; diagnose it in real time; and select and execute an action in real time. It explores the attributes for sensing in an Agile Information System. A set of attributes was initially derived using the practitioner literature and then refined using interviews with practitioners. Their importance and validity were established using a survey of the industry. All attributes derived from this study were deemed pertinent for sensing in an agile information system. Dimensions underlying these attributes were identified using Exploratory Factor Analysis. This list of attributes can form the basis for assessing and establishing sensing mechanisms to increase IS agility.
Information Systems (IS) agility is a current topic of interest in the IS industry. The study follows up on the work on the definition of the construct of IS agility which is defined as the ability of IS to sense a change in real time; diagnose it in real time; and select and execute an action in real time. It explores the attributes for sensing in an Agile Information System. A set of attributes was initially derived using the practitioner literature and then refined using interviews with practitioners. Their importance and validity were established using a survey of the industry. All attributes derived from this study were deemed pertinent for sensing in an agile information system. Dimensions underlying these attributes were identified using Exploratory Factor Analysis. This list of attributes can form the basis for assessing and establishing sensing mechanisms to increase IS agility.
Cite this paper
P. Pankaj, M. Hyde and A. Ramaprasad, "Sensing Attributes of an Agile Information System," Intelligent Information Management, Vol. 5 No. 5, 2013, pp. 150-161. doi: 10.4236/iim.2013.55016.
P. Pankaj, M. Hyde and A. Ramaprasad, "Sensing Attributes of an Agile Information System," Intelligent Information Management, Vol. 5 No. 5, 2013, pp. 150-161. doi: 10.4236/iim.2013.55016.
References
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[1] Mason-Jones and D. R. Towill, “Total Cycle Time Compression and the Agile Supply Chain,” International Journal of Production Economics, Vol. 62, No. 1-2, 1999, pp. 61-73. doi:10.1016/S0925-5273(98)00221-7 [2] M. Christopher, “The Agile Supply Chain: Competing in Volatile Markets,” Industrial Marketing Management, Vol. 29, No. 1, 2000, pp. 37-44. doi:10.1016/S0019-8501(99)00110-8 [3] R. I. V. Hoek, “The Thesis of Leagility Revisited,” International Journal of Agile Manufacturing Management Systems, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2000, pp. 196-201. [4] N. Bajgoric, “Web-Based Information Access for Agile Management,” International Journal of Agile Management Systems, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2000, pp. 121-129. doi:10.1108/14654650010337131 [5] H. Sharifi and Z. Zhang, “A Methodology for Achieving Agility in Manufacturing Organizations: An Introduction,” International Journal of Production Economics, Vol. 62, No. 1, 1999, pp. 7-22. doi:10.1016/S0925-5273(98)00217-5 [6] Y. Y. Yusuf, M. Sarahadi and A. Gunasekaran, “Agile Manufacturing: The Drivers, Concepts, and Attributes”, International Journal of Production Economics, Vol. 62, No. 1, 1999, pp. 33-43. doi:10.1016/S0925-5273(98)00219-9 [7] J. Bal, R. Wilding and J. Gundry, “Virtual Teaming in the Agile Supply Chain,” The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 10, No. 2, 1999, pp. 71-82. doi:10.1108/09574099910806003 [8] A. C. Boynton, “Achieving Dynamic Stability through Information Technology,” California Management Review, Vol. 35, No. 2, 1993, pp. 58-77. doi:10.2307/41166722 [9] Pankaj, “An Analysis and Exploration of Information Systems Agility,” Ph.D. Thesis, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 2005, 343 pp. [10] M. H. Pankaj and A. Ramaprasad, “Revisiting Agility to Conceptualize Information Systems Agility,” In: M. Lytras and P. O. D. Pablos, Eds., Emerging Topics and Technologies in Information Systems, IGI-Global, Hershey, 2009, pp. 19-54. [11] “Comp.realtime: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (Version 3.5),” 2002. http://www.faqs.org/faqs/realtime-computing/faq/ [12] J. Edwards, T. Milea, S. Mcleod and I. Coults, “Agile System Design and Build.” IEEE Colloquium on Managing Requirements Change: A Business Process Reengineering Perspective, London, 11 June 1998, pp. 1-5. [13] T. A. Byrd and D.E. Turner, “Measuring the Flexibility of Information Technology Infrastructure,” Journal of Management Information Systems, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2000. pp. 167-208. [14] P. Ein-Dor and E. Segev, “Organizational Context and the Success of Management Information Systems,” Management Science, Vol. 24, No. 10, 1978, pp. 1064-1078. doi:10.1287/mnsc.24.10.1064 [15] D. M. S. Lee, E. Trauth and D. Farwell, “Critical Skills and Knowledge Requirements of IS Professionals: A Joint Academic/Industry Investigation,” MIS Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 3, 1995, pp. 313-340. doi:10.2307/249598 [16] K. M. Eisenhardt, “Building Theories from Case Study Research,” Academy of Management Review, Vol. 14, No. 4, 1989, pp. 532-550. [17] J. B. Quinn, “Managing Strategic Change,” Sloan Management Review, Vol. 21, No. 4, 1980, pp. 3-20. [18] S. H. Haeckel and R. L. Nolan, “Managing by Wire: Using I/T to Transform a Business from Make-and-Sell to Sense-and-Respond,” In: J. N. Luftman, Ed., Competing in the Information Age: Strategic Alignment in Practice, Oxford University Press Inc., London, 1996, p. 220. [19] R. S. Billings, T. W. Milburn and M. L. Schaalman, “A Model for Crisis Perception: A Theatrical and Empirical Analysis,” Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 25, No. 2, 1980, pp. 300-316. doi:10.2307/2392456 [20] S. Kiesler and L. Sproull, “Managerial Response to Changing Environments: Perspectives on Problem Sensing from Social Cognition,” Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 27, No. 2, 1982, pp. 548-570. doi:10.2307/2392530 [21] S. P. Weil, M. Subramani and M. Broadbent, “Building IT Infrastructure for Strategic Agility,” MIT Sloan Management Review, Vol. 44, No. 1, 2002, pp. 57-65. [22] B. R. Allen and A. C. Boynton, “Information Architecture: In Search of Efficient Flexibility,” MIS Quarterly, Vol. 15, No. 4, 1991, pp. 435-445. doi:10.2307/249447 [23] T. V. Bonoma, “Case Research in Marketing: Opportunities, Problems, and a Process,” Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 22, No. 2, 1985, pp. 199-208. doi:10.2307/3151365 [24] J. E. Bailey and S. W. Pearson, “Development of a Tool for Measuring and Analyzing Computer User Satisfaction,” Management Science, Vol. 29, No. 5, 1983, pp. 530-545. doi:10.1287/mnsc.29.5.530 [25] D. L. Goodhue, “Supporting Users of Corporate Data,” Ph.D. Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, 1988, p. 300. [26] B. Ives, M. H. Olson and J. J. Baroudi, “The Measurement of User Information Satisfaction,” Communications of the ACM, Vol. 26, No. 10, 1983, pp. 785-793. doi:10.1145/358413.358430 [27] J. A. Ricketts and A. M. Jenkins, “The Development of an MIS Satisfaction Questionnaire: An Instrument for Evaluating User Satisfaction with Turnkey Decision Support Systems,” Discussion Paper No. 2961985, Indiana University School of Business, Bloomington. [28] G. A. Churchill, “A Paradigm for Developing Better Measures of Marketing Constructs,” Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 16, No. 1, 1979, pp. 64-73. doi:10.2307/3150876 [29] J. H. Hair Jr., R. E. Anderson, R. L. Tatham and W. C. Black, “Multivariate Data Analysis,” Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, 1995.