FIRM SIZE AND THE EVALUATION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS: ISSUES AND EVIDENCE

Much empirical work has addressed the nature of information systems (IS) evaluation in large organisations. However, relatively little work has examined the nature of evaluation within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) This paper discusses IS evaluation in the context of SMEs by identifying a number of issues particularly relevant to such organisations. Drawing on the experiences of four SMEs, the paper identifies the following factors and their implications for evaluation practice, a lack of business and IS/IT strategy; limited access to capital resources; an emphasis on automating; the influence of major customers; and limited information skills. The paper draws on two alternative frameworks of evaluation which are used to explain evaluation practice within SMEs, and which help form a structure within which future research might be placed. The paper concludes with a set of propositions which constitute a research agenda for further examining evaluation practice in SMEs.