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Cited by 283E-Government and Public ServicesInformation Systems Theories and ImplementationInformation Technology Governance and Strategy

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 74 of the 75 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Pessimism, Computer Failure, and Information Systems Development in the Public Sector

Goldfinch, Shaun·2007·Public Administration Review
DOI 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2007.00778.x
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Abstract

The majority of information systems developments are unsuccessful. The larger the development, the more likely it will be unsuccessful. Despite the persistence of this problem for decades and the expenditure of vast sums of money, computer failure has received surprisingly little attention in the public administration literature. This article outlines the problems of enthusiasm and the problems of control, as well as the overwhelming complexity, that make the failure of large developments almost inevitable. Rather than the positive view found in much of the public administration literature, the author suggests a pessimism when it comes to information systems development. Aims for information technology should be modest ones, and in many cases, the risks, uncertainties, and probability of failure mean that new investments in technology are not justified. The author argues for a public official as a recalcitrant, suspicious, and skeptical adopter of IT.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2007.00778.x

Cites

74 of 74 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Citations

Cites

Show all 75 references

Research works printed but not linked: 14

  1. Beetham David, 1996, Bureaucracy
  2. Bronson Po, 1999, The Nudist on the Late Shift and Other Tales of Silicon Valley
  3. Cole Andy, 1995, Runaway Projects: Cause and Effects, Software World (UK), 26, 3
  4. Evans Mark, 2001, Computerworld New Zealand, 43
  5. Heeks Richard, 2002, Failure, Success and Improvisation of Information System Projects in Developing Countries
  6. 10.4324/9780203204962 · DOI
  7. 10.4324/9780203204962 · DOI
  8. Hewson N., 1998, ROI in Sales and Marketing Systems
  9. James Geoffrey, 1997, IT Fiascoes and How to Avoid Them, Datamation, 84
  10. Korac‐Boisvert N., 1995, Transcending Soft‐Core IT Disasters in Public Sector Organizations, Information Infrastructure and Policy, 4, 131
  11. Royal Academy of Engineering, 2004, The Challenges of Complex IT Projects
  12. SIMPL Group, 2000, Information Technology Projects: Performance of the New Zealand Public Sector in Performance
  13. Swanson E. Burton, 1988, Information System Implementation: Bridging the Gap between Design and Implementation
  14. Teega Associates, 2003, Automation Program Evaluation

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Metadata

Authors
Goldfinch, S.
Affiliations
University of Otago (NZ)
Corresponding author
Goldfinch, Shaun
ORCID
Goldfinch, Shaun
Venue
Public Administration Review
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2007-09
Volume
67
Issue
5
Pages
917-929
ISSN
  • 0033-3352 (ISSN-L)
  • 1540-6210
DOI
10.1111/j.1540-6210.2007.00778.x
OpenAlex
W1966931213
Cited by
283
References
75
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 20
FWCI
49.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 18 d)
Locations
Public Administration Review (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › E-Government and Public Services
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management Information Systems › Information Systems Theories and Implementation
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management Information Systems › Information Technology Governance and Strategy
Keywords
information system development, public sector IT, project failure, computer system failures, pessimism, enthusiasm, control, complexity, risk and uncertainty, IT investment, public officials, technology adoption, information technology in public administration

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