Strategic information systems planning model for building flexibility and success

Purpose – This paper provides a model for IS planning for building flexibility and success, by considering volatile environment and the possibilities for leveraging the user's cognitive capabilities. Design/methodology/approach – A review of existing IS planning models is given to identify the shortcomings in building flexibility and success. A model is evolved by hypothesizing user involvement in IS planning leads to IS flexibility; and flexibility in IS enables organizational flexibility and IS success. The control variables were considered at the user, IS, and organizational levels. The proposed model was examined by a questionnaire survey, in which 296 users and planners from 42 organizations participated. Findings – The study results validated the proposed model that IS success and organizational flexibility could be achieved through IS flexibility, which could be generated by involving users in IS planning. Also, the study results have shown that user expectations, perceived personal usefulness, and users' internal flexibility possess a high driver power for user involvement. Research limitations/implications – The variables included in the model are not exhaustive, and the validity of the model has not been tested in a real life situation. Originality/value – This paper explains the ways of collaborating with users and top management to plan a flexible IS by studying the impending changes in the environment.