Systems Analysts' Attitudes Toward Information Systems Development

Abstract

Certain researchers argue that systems analysts are too technical, a situation that may contribute to system failures. The results of this study, however, contradict this argument. By applying a framework of Dos Santos and Hawk (1988), analysts were found to have three primary orientations: technical, socio-political and user. No one orientation dominated. Using the framework applied in this study, managers can consider the analysts’ orientations in assigning development activities. Researchers can identify diverse orientations in future studies where attitudes may be significant predictors of system performance or development success.