Espoused theory versus theory in use : the case of strategic information systems planning
Strategic information systems planning (SISP) has been a key issue for Information Systems (IS) managers over several decades. As a consequence, much research has been devoted to studing it. Noted concerns have been the gap between opinion and practice, and the absence of a sound theory to underpin it. Attempts at developing an overarching theoretical framework have typically used an input-process-output variance model as the basis. Rich processual elements of SISP, and the existence of feedback loops, which could then lead to improved practice, have however, been noted as absent from these models. Synthesis and integration of the above concerns lead to the goal of this study, which was to develop rich processual theories about SISP. The grounded theory methodology was ideally suited to this purpose as it aims to develop theory that is well grounded in data, and therefore very much reflective of the reality presented by the data.
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