Research on top leadership style contingency throughout the enterprise information systems lifecycle

Abstract

Abstract: There are various critical tasks in the different phases of Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) lifecycle, thus top management needs to exhibit different leadership styles, so as to guarantee the success in the each specific phase of EIS lifecycle. Based on an exploratory single case study of a corporation located in Weihai with a long term informationize process, it is found that transformational leadership is more effective for the adoption phase, transactional leadership is more effective for the implementation phase, and a mixed leadership style is more effective for the assimilation and extension phases. The study is able to provide guidelines for the firm to select the most appropriate top leaders taking charge of EIS throughout the lifecycle.

Key words: EIS lifecycle, transformational leadership, transactional leadership, single case study

CLC Number:

C931.6

Shao Zhen, He Qingsong, Ge Hong, Feng Yuqiang, Liu Luning. Research on top leadership style contingency throughout the enterprise information systems lifecycle[J]. Science Research Management, 2013, 34(5): 121-129.

References

[1] James,D. and M.L.Wolf. A Second Wind for ERP[J]. McKinsey Quarterly, 2000, 99-106.
[2] Jacobson,S., J.Shepherd, M.D'Aquila, and K.Carter. The Market Sizing Report, 2006-2011[R]. AMR Research, 2007.
[3] Markus,M.L., and C.Tanis. The Enterprise System Experience-From Adoption to Success[M]. Pinnaflex Educational Resources, Inc., Cincinnati, OH, 2000.
[4] Davenport,T.H. Putting the Enterprise into the Enterprise System[J]. Harvard Business Review, 1998(July-August): 121-131.
[5] 张喆, 黄沛, 张良. 中国企业ERP 实施关键成功因素分析:多案例研究[J]. 管理世界, 2005(12):137-143.
[6] Stefanou.,C.J. A Framework for the Ex-ante Evaluation of ERP Software[J], European Journal of Information Systems, 2001, 10: 204-215.
[7] Bajwa,D.S., J.E.Garcia, and T.Mooney. An integrative framework[JP2]for the assimilation of enterprise resource planning systems: phases, antecedents, and outcomes[J]. The Journal of Computer Information Systems, 2004, 44(3): 81-90.
[8] Umble,E.J., R.R.Haft, and M.M.Umble. Enterprise resource planning: implementation procedures and critical success factors[J]. European Journal of Operational Research, 2003, 146(2): 241-57.
[9] Ngai,E.W.T., C.C.H.Law and F.K.T.Wat. Examining the critical success factors in the adoption of enterprise resource planning[J], Computers in Industry, 2008, 59(6):548-564.
[10] Holland,C.P. and B.Light. A Critical Success Factors Model for ERP Implementation[J]. IEEE Software, 1999, 16(3):30-36.
[11] Kwon, T.H. and R.W.Zmud. Unifying the Fragmented Models of Information Systems Implementation[M]. In Boland and Hirschheim (Eds), Critical Issues in Information Systems Research, John Wiley, New York, 1987.
[12] Somers,T.M. and K.G.Nelson. A taxonomy of players and activities across the ERP project lifecycle[J]. Information&Management, 2004. 41(3): 257-278.
[13] Burns, J.M. Leadership[M]. Harper & Row, New York. 1978.
[14] Bass, B.M. Leadership and performance beyond expectations[M]. Free Press, New York, 1985
[15] Bass,B.M. and B.J.Avolio. MLQ Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire for research[M]. Redwood City, CA: Mind Garden. 1995.
[16] Donaldson,L. The contingency theory of organizations[M]. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA. 2001.
[17] Morton,N.A., and Q.Hu, Implications of the fit between organizational structure and ERP: A structural contingency theory perspective[J]. International Journal of Information Management, 2008, 28(5):391-402.
[18] 吴春波,曹仰锋,周长辉. 企业发展过程中的领导风格演变: 案例研究[J]. 管理世界, 2009(2):123-137.
[19] Neufeld,D.J., L.Dong, and C.Higgins. Charismatic leadership and user acceptance of information technology[J]. European Journal of Information Systems, 2007, 16: 494-510.
[20] Ke,W. and K.K.Wei. Organizational culture and leadership in ERP implementation[J]. Decision Support Systems, 2008, 45(2): 208-218.
[21] Swanson, E. B. and Ramiller, N.C. Innovating Mindfully with Information Technology[J]. MIS Quarterly, 2004,28(4): 553-583.
[22] Ross,J.W., and Vitale,M. The ERP Revolution: Surviving Versus Thriving[J]. Information Systems Frontiers, 2000, 2(2):233-241.
[23] Yin,R.K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods[M]. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA. 2003.
[24] Benbasat,I., D.K.Goldstein, and M.Mead. The Case Research Strategy in Studies of Information Systems[J]. MIS Quarterly, 1987,11(3): 369-386.
[25] Dubé,L. and G.Paré, Rigor in Information Systems Positivist Case Research: Current Practices, Trends, and Recommendations[J]. MIS Quarterly, 2003, 27(4):597-636.
[26] 毛基业,张霞. 案例研究方法的规范性及现状评估——中国企业管理案例论坛综述[J]. 管理世界, 2008(4):115-121.
[27] D. C. Hambrick and P. A. Mason. Upper Echelons: The Organization as a Reflection of Its Top Managers[J]. Academy of Management Review. 1984, 9(2):193-206.
[28] Wiersema,M.F. and K.A.Bantel. Top management team demography and corporate strategic change[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 1992, 35(1): 91-121.
[29] Elenkov,D.S., W.Judge, and P.Wright. Strategic Leadership and Executive Innovation Influence: An International Multi-Cluster Comparative Study[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2005, 26, 665-682.
[30] Damanpour,F. and M.Schneider. Phases of the adoption of innovation in organizations: Effects of environment, organization and top Managers[J]. British Journal of Management, 2006,17(3):215-236.
[31] Nah,F.F.H., J.L.S.Lau, and J.Kuang. Critical factors for successful implementation of enterprise systems[J]. Business process Management Journal, 2001,7(3): 285-296.
[32] Soh,C., S.S.Kien, and J.T.Yap. Cultural fits and misfits: is ERP a universal solution[J]. Communications of the ACM, 2000, 43(3):47-51.
[33] Hong,K.K. and Y.G.Kim. The critical success factors for ERP implementation: an organizational fit perspective[J]. Information & Management, 2002, 40: 25-40.
[34] Malbert,V.A., A.Soni, and M.A.Venkataramanan. Enterprise resource planning: Managing the implementation process[J]. European Journal of Operational Research, 2003, 146(2): 302-314.
[35] Sharma,R., and P.Yetton. The contingent effects of training, technical complexity and task interdependence on successful information systems implementation[J]. MIS Quarterly, 2007, 31(2): 219-238
[36] Podsakoff,P.M., W.H.Bommer, N.P.Podsakoff, and S.B.MacKenzie. Relationships between leader reward and punishment behavior and subordinate attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors: A meta-analytic review of existing and new research[J]. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2006, 99(2):113-142.
[37] Liu,L.N., Y.Q.Feng, Q.Hu, and X.J.Huang. Understanding individual level ERP assimilation: A multi-case study[C]. Proceedings of the 43th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2010.
[38] Liu,L.N., Y.Q.Feng, Q.Hu, and X.J.Huang. From transactional user to VIP: how organizational and cognitive factors affect ERP assimilation at individual level[J]. European Journal of Information Systems, 2011,20: 186-200.
[39] Purvis,R.L., V.Sambamurthy, and R.W.Zmud. The Assimilation of Knowledge Platforms in Organizations: An Empirical Investigation[J]. Organization Science, 2001,12(2):117-135.
[40] Rai,A., R.Patnayakuni, and N.Seth. Firm performance impacts of digitally enabled supply chain integration capabilities[J]. MIS Quarterly, 2006, 30(2): 25-246.
[41] Sutanto,J., A.Kankanhalli, J.Tay, K.S.Raman, and B.C.Y.Tan. Change management in interorganizational systems for the public[J]. Journal of Management Information Systems, 2008, 25: 133-175.
[42] Lam,W. Investigating success factors in enterprise application integration: a case-driven analysis[J]. European Journal of Information Systems, 2005,14(2):175-187.
[43] Lee, H. L. and Whang, S. E-Business and Supply Chain Integration. Springer[M]. New York. 2004.
[44] Zhu, K., Dong, S., Xu, S. X. and Kraemer, K. L. Innovation Diffusion in Global Contexts: Determinants of Post-adoption Digital Transformation of European Companies[J]. European Journal of Information Systems. 2006, 15(6):601-616.
[45] Sharif, A.M., Elliman, T., Love, P.E.D. and Badii, A. Integrating the IS with the enterprise: key EAI research challenges[J]. The Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 2004, 17(2): 164-170.