Consultant engagement for computer system selection: a pro-active client role in small enterprises


Autoria(s): Gable, Guy G.
Data(s)

1991

Resumo

Because of their limited number of senior positions and fewer alternative career paths, small businesses have a more difficult time attracting and retaining skilled information systems (IS) staff and are thus dependent upon external expertise. Small businesses are particularly dependent on outside expertise when first computerizing. Because small businesses suffer from severe financial constraints. it is often difficult to justify the cost of custom software. Hence. for many small businesses, engaging a consultant to help with identifying suitable packaged software and related hardware, is their first critical step toward computerization. This study explores the importance of proactive client involvement when engaging a consultant to assist with computer system selection in small businesses. Client involvement throughout consultant engagement is found to be integral to project success and frequently lacking due to misconceptions of small businesses regarding their role. Small businesses often overestimate the impact of consultant and vendor support in achieving successful computer system selection and implementation. For consultant engagement to be successful, the process must be viewed as being directed toward the achievement of specific organizational results where the client accepts responsibility for direction of the process.

Formato

application/pdf

Identificador

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/68960/

Publicador

Elsevier

Relação

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/68960/1/Gable1991I%26M.pdf

DOI:10.1016/0378-7206(91)90046-5

Gable, Guy G. (1991) Consultant engagement for computer system selection: a pro-active client role in small enterprises. Information & Management, 20(2), pp. 83-93.

Direitos

Copyright 1991 Elsevier

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Information & Management. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Information & Management, [VOL 20, ISSUE 2, (1991)] DOI: 10.1016/0378-7206(91)90046-5

Fonte

School of Information Systems; Science & Engineering Faculty

Palavras-Chave #080600 INFORMATION SYSTEMS #Consultant engagement #Small business #Management information systems #Consultants
Tipo

Journal Article