Abstract:
The recent epidemic of information systems (ISs) programme failures worldwide
suggests that the effective management of programmes to cope with uncertainty
and achieve mission in the medium term remains a key challenge. Research into
high reliability organisations (HROs) has shown that it is possible to avoid,
trap and mitigate the risks inherent in complex socio-technical systems. Studies
of HROs originally focused on the operation of high risk technologies but have
begun to explore other situations that present a similar need for reliable
performance. One such environment is the IS programme. By comparing and
contrasting the salient features of programme environments and HROs and
presenting an in-depth case study with two embedded units of analysis (two
troubled IS programmes), we aim to contribute to the ongoing debate about IS
programme failure and to the theoretical development of programme reliability.