The stages model and the phases of the IS field

Abstract

We argue that the organization's internal time-path of computer usage should be located in a context of changes in the IS field as a whole. A model of the history of information systems management within user organizations is presented here, which specifies a series of phases the IS field has gone through. Each phase is defined by a critical problem or set of constraints. The phases model can be used to predict new pressures on IS executives and new directions for focusing research and education resources as well as supplementing Nolan's stages model of computer usage within organizations.