Exploratory Results of a Factor Analysis of Strategic Information: Implications for Strategic Systems Planning

• Published in: Journal of management information systems 1988-10, Vol.5 (2), p.83-97
• Main Author: Szewczak, Edward J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Corporate strategies; Dimensionality; Exact sciences and technology; Expert systems; Factor analysis; Information and communication sciences; Information management; Information relevance; Information science. Documentation; Library and information science. General aspects; Management information systems; Questionnaires; Sciences and techniques of general use; strategic information; Strategic planning; strategic systems planning; Use and user studies. Information needs
• ISSN: 0742-1222; 1557-928X
• DOI: 10.1080/07421222.1988.11517826

The usefulness of strategic decision support systems (sdsss) has been a highly discussed, yet under-investigated issue. This paper attempts to help fill the gap between available subjective/argumentative theory and the necessary empirical evidence to evaluate and implement existing claims and design methodologies. An empirical study is described that explicitly focused on the usefulness of information in a strategic decision-making context. Factor analysis was employed in the derivation of five orthogonal dimensions of the usefulness of strategic information. The results suggest that strategic systems planning [20] may be preferable to historical, traditional approaches to providing useful information to strategic decision makers in a sdss context. A research agenda is discussed that suggests avenues for studying strategic systems planning in the context of various planning processes contributing to sdss development, of knowledge-based sdsss, and of strategic expert systems.