Effectiveness of Information Systems Implementation: The Case of the Polish Small andMediumEnterprises

Implementation of IT systems puts an impact on effectiveness of systems functioning and efficiency of company performance, that is why it is important to explore IT systems implementation process. In Poland there is about 3,8 mln enterprises. Since the early nineties the sector of small and medium enterprises has constituted one of the main pillar of the Polish economy. In the years 2003-2008 more than half of employment has been generated by small and medium companies. The rapid development and improving effectiveness of the operation is often conditioned by the possibility of new IT technology absorption. However even the best designed IT tool without appropriate implementation, by properly selected implementation team, is not able to satisfy the enterprise needs. This paper discusses the research procedure and the main findings of qualitative research performed by the author to identify and classify factors that have influence on the effectiveness of information systems implementation. The article describes: Polish it market: services, software and hardware sector; ICT usage in Polish SME’s, including sources of applications and most computerized company areas. The main subject of the article is to present what factors are considered to be crucial for the increase of information systems implementation effectiveness. The article is aimed to point out the important factors and discuss if there is a possibility to control them. The main conclusion of the paper is that implementation process is realized by two groups of people with different perception of the project performance and factors impact. It is also important that implementation process has to be perceived in holistic manner, which includes not only preparation and realization stage, but also the operation phase.