ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, cilt.28, sa.1, 2006 (ESCI)
High quality information technology (IT) support is an integral factor in the success of today's health sector. However, the medical profession is considered to be low level investors in IT when compared to other sectors. Many international comparisons look at the expenditure spent on health IT as a basis for determining how effective the systems are. This prescriptive mainly cost/benefit approach is believed to be deficient as a sole factor in evaluation procedures. The research in this study supports the notion that more systematic attention needs to be taken into evaluating the success of an IT system. A perspective noted through a process based assessment for information systems effectiveness assessment (PB-ISAM) is therefore proposed. The method was developed and subsequently evaluated through three case organizations in the medical sector. Specific implications are drawn concerning the applicability of PB-ISAM, conclusions are drawn from the insights gained and suggestions for further research reported.