Knowledge mapping for information systems evaluation in manufacturing

Abstract

The evaluation of information systems is regarded as a complex process due to the large number of interacting factors that culminate in respective costs, benefits and risks that have human or organizational dimensions. With this in mind, there is much need to examine investment decision-making processes to better understand the often far-reaching implications associated with technology adoption and associated knowledge constructs. Through the identification and extrapolation of key learning issues from the literature and empirical findings, organizations can better improve their business processes and thereby their effectiveness, whilst preventing others from making costly mistakes that may not necessarily be purely financial. In seeking to shed light on the often elusive evaluation of information systems, this paper will, through the adoption of a case enquiry research strategy that uses qualitative research methods, present the experiences of a manufacturing organization that sought to evaluate its information system. The authors will inductively show the propagation of knowledge and learning of a company in the manufacturing sector, via the application of a knowledge mapping technique. The rationale for exploring knowledge and information systems evaluation in manufacturing is that through empirically extrapolating explicit and tacit knowledge drivers, a knowledge map will emerge for others to use during their technology evaluation.