Exploring the role of information systems in online success: A resource-based analysis

This thesis adopts a resource-based perspective to explore how a firm's information systems (IS) resources affect performance in an online commerce context. A two phase methodology was followed. First, 52 interviews with senior managers were conducted at 42 organizations to determine the relevant set of IS resources affecting online operations. This resource set was then combined with IS resources identified from the research literature. Second, survey data from 550 respondent firms were used to test the relationship between these IS resources and online success. Survey data from a second, independent sample (135 firms) were used to confirm and extend the findings.;Fifteen IS resources were identified from the research literature and the field interviews. These were organized into three groups using principal components analysis: IS adaptive capabilities, IS management capabilities and systems design capabilities. IS adaptive capabilities showed a positive association with online success, while IS management capabilities showed a negative association. Systems design capabilities showed no significant association with online success. These findings suggest that managers of online operations should prioritize IS adaptive capabilities.;Results from the second survey suggested that the relationship between IS resources and firm performance was moderated by environmental turbulence. Results from the first survey were substantiated in a sub-set of the second survey containing firms in extremely turbulent environments. However, firms in the non-turbulent sub-set of the second survey had opposite results. IS management capabilities showed a positive association with performance, while IS adaptive capabilities showed no significant association. These findings suggest that IS managers should carefully consider the turbulence of their environment when developing an IS strategy.;Extensions to the resource-based view are suggested in order to address criticisms that the theory is static and internally focused.