The role of information technology in Jordanian firms

Dissertant

Budayr, Ramiz A.

Thesis advisor

al-Shaykh, Asim A. R.
al-Yasin, Husayn

Comitee Members

Abu Samahah, Ala M.
Yasin, Sad Ghalib
Abu Tayih, Ivon Muhammad Awdah
Qtair, Muhammad

University

Arab Academy for Financial and Banking Sciences

Faculty

The Faculty of Information Systems and Technology

Department

Computer information systems

University Country

Jordan

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Date

2006

English Abstract

Over the past three decades an extensive literature has developed on how managers can and should use Information Technology (IT) in supporting decision making to increase their personal effectiveness and that of their firms.

In fact, some have suggested that firm effectiveness can be measured by the extent to which managers are able to acquire the information that reduces the uncertainty and ambiguity they perceive in their firm environments, but the value of IT in supporting decision making to managers remains unclear.

Empirical research shows that managers typically use a variety of information sources and that, while Computer-based Information (CBI) can play a role in decision making, it often plays a small role.

This work focuses on Jordanian managers to investigate the usability of IT these managers used and their perceived value and satisfaction with their existing Information Technology-based information systems (ITIS) in providing helpful information for making successful and effective decisions.

In moving from theory to practice, mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) are employed using concurrent triangulation strategy.

A quantitative method is implemented by a survey of the top 100 firms in the Jordan, whereas qualitative method is implemented using two case studies.

A detailed analysis of the responses produced the following findings : (1) The Jordan sample of managers was predominantly male, older, had several college computer courses, and was comprised mainly of middle and top level managers.

(2) The Jordan managers used IT rather heavily, approximately 15 hours per week.

(3) First-line managers were the heaviest users of IT and perceived the greatest value of ITIS for decision making.

Middle level managers were the lightest users of IT but perceived greater value of ITIS than top level managers.

From the functional areas, managers in information systems and Accounting / Finance were the heaviest users of IT and perceived the greatest value of ITIS.

For the overall sample, there was a significant correlation between usability of IT and perceived value of ITIS.

The results from the qualitative method will be compared with the results from quantitative method in order to create the Decision Support Making (DSM) model via IT.

Main Subjects

Information Technology and Computer Science

Topics

• Business enterprises
• Scientific innovations
• Jordan
• Information technology

No. of Pages

180

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-306849