ارائه الگوي رابطه فناوري اطلاعات و عملكرد شركت هاي تجاري: فراتحليلي بر عوامل اندازه گيري در معماي بهره وري

A Survey on Measurement Intermediaries in the Relationship Between Information Technology and Firm Performance: A Meta-Analysis Approach

Payoffs from information technology (IT) continue to generate interest and debate both among academicians and practitioners. The extant literature cites sample characteristics, subject characteristics, and research structure among the reasons some studies have shown contradicting results in establishing a relationship between IT investment and firm performance. In this paper we examine variables that affect IT payoff through a meta-analysis of 585 firm-level empirical studies between 1976 and 2004. Employing variance analysis, correlation coefficient and independent samples t-test, we present statistical evidence of the characteristics that discriminate between IT payoff studies that observed different effects of IT on firmʹs performance. The results indicate that the sample size, data source (firm-level or secondary), industry and the sector in which the study is conducted, the extent of country development, and researcherʹs field influence the likelihood of the study finding greater improvements on firm performance. The choice of the dependent and independent variable(s), the year in which data are gathered, and the type of statistical analysis conducted, also appear to influence the outcome. Finally, we present implications of the findings and recommendations for future research. JEL Classification: L86.