The values of information systems professionals: An investigation into barriers preventing integration of IS with the organization

Integration of Information Systems (IS) with the organization is considered one of the most important issues in current Information Systems practice and research. The ideal state of Information Systems integration in an organization is one in which "the applications portfolio ;Researchers and practitioners have identified a variety of problems that prevent IS professionals and Non-IS professionals from joint realization of this ideal. Individual differences, social differences and interaction (communication) problems relating to difficulties in integration have been explored. This project focuses on and attempts to identify values differences between Information Systems professionals and Non-IS professionals that may be blocking integration efforts.;Kling's (1980) characterization of the Systems Rationalist may explain the observed differences and account for the general failure to achieve the integration ideal. Systems Rationalists focus on the positive aspects of Information Technology (IT), are preoccupied with new capabilities of technology, tend to ignore goal incongruencies, assume consensus on goals and give synoptic accounts of social behavior. They have a narrow focus on IT and hold efficiency as an important value, focussing on the internal, task-oriented environment.;The characterization of Systems Rationalists includes preferred end-states of existence and preferred modes of conduct. Such preferences are called "values" (Rokeach, 1973).;This study measured values using a modified version of the Personal Values Questionnaire (England, 1975) in order to see if the values of IS professionals fit the profile of the systems rationalist (Kling, 1980) and if values differences between IS and Non-IS professionals differ in areas that may make integration and cooperation difficult.;Respondents from IS and Marketing departments of a major telecommunications firm were studied by paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Contrary to researcher expectations, no differences were found between the two departments either in fit to the Systems Rationalist profile or in specific values related to integration.;Through exploration of the values data, this study contributes to organizational science in four areas: (1) IS personnel and change; (2) values along IS career paths; (3) the model of values and decision making; and (4) organizational assimilation strategies.