Skip to main content
Log in

Use of Data Envelopment Analysis in assessing Information Technology impact on firm performance

  • Published:
Annals of Operations Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to consider the effect of Information Technology on the performance of a firm. We use Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to study this problem. In the paper, we outline DEA and address its advantages over parametric approaches. We then develop a methodology to identify the efficiency of IT utilization and the importance of IT-related activities and their effect on firm performance, within the DEA framework. Our methodology also evaluates the marginal benefits of IT. We provide an application of our methodology through an illustration.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A.I. Ali and L.M. Seiford, Computational accuracy and infinitesimals in Data Envelopment Analysis, INFOR 31(1993)290–297.

    Google Scholar 

  2. J.Y. Bakos and C.F. Kemerer, Recent applications of economic thoery in information technology research, Decision Support Systems 8(1992)365–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. R.D. Banker, A. Charnes and W.W. Cooper, Models for estimating technical and scale efficiencies, Management Science 30(1984)1078–1092.

    Google Scholar 

  4. R.D. Banker, R.F. Conrad and R.P. Strauss, A comparative application of Data Envelopment Analysis and translog methods: An illustrative study of hospital production, Management Science 32(1986)30–44.

    Google Scholar 

  5. R.D. Banker and R.J. Kauffman, Case study of electronic banking at Meridian Cancrop, Information and Software Technology 33(1991)200–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. R.D. Banker and R.M. Thrall, Estimation of returns to scale using Data Envelopment Analysis, European Journal of Operational Research 62(1992)74–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. D. Bender, Financial impact of information processing, Journal of MIS 3(1986) 232–238.

    Google Scholar 

  8. A. Charnes, W.W. Cooper, D. Divine, G.A. Klopp and J. Stutz, An application of Data Envelopment Analysis to U.S. Army Recruitment Districts, Research Report CCS 436, Center for Cybernetic Studies, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  9. A. Charnes, W.W. Cooper, B. Golany and L. Seiford, Foundations of Data Envelopment Analysis for Pareto-Koopmans efficient empirical production functions, Journal of Econometrics 30(1985) 91–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. A. Charnes, W.W. Cooper, A.Y. Lewin, R.C. Morey and J. Rousseau, Sensitivity and stability analysis in DEA, Annals of Operations Research 2(1985)139–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. A. Charnes, W.W. Cooper and E. Rhodes, Measuring efficiency of Decision Making Units, European Journal of Operational Research 1(1978)429–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. W.G. Chismar and C.H. Kriebel, A Method for assessing the economic impact of information systems technology on organizations, Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Information Systems, Indianapolis, IN, November 1985, pp. 45–56.

  13. W. Cron and M. Sobol, The relationship between computerization and performance: A strategy for maximizing economic benefits of computerization, Information and Management 6(1983)171–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. C. Currid, Is Information Technology paying its way in your organization?, InfoWorld 14,No. 24 (June 15, 1992) 68.

    Google Scholar 

  15. J. Elam and J. Kobielus, From mysticism to management, Network World (June 20, 1988) 23, 34 and 45.

  16. R. Färe and W. Hunsaker, Notions of efficiency and their reference sets, Management Science 32(1986)237–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. M.J. Farrel, The measurement of productive efficiency, Journal of Royal Statistical Society 120 (1957)253–290.

    Google Scholar 

  18. F.R. Forsund and L. Hjalmarsson, Frontier production functions and technical progress: A study of general milk processing in Swedish dairy plants, Econometrica 47,No. 4 (July 1979).

  19. S.E. Harris and J.L. Katz, Differentiating organizational performance using Information Technology managerial control ratios in the insurance industry, Office: Technology and People 5(1989) 275–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. S.E. Harris and J.L. Katz, Firm size and Information Technology investment intensity of life insurers, MIS Quarterly 15(1991)333–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. M. Igabria, F.N. Pavri and S.L. Huff, Microcomputer applications: An empirical look at usage, Information and Management 16(1989)187–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. R.J. Kauffman and P. Weill, An evaluative framework for research on the performance effects of Information Technology investment, in: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Information Systems, Boston, MA, December 1989, pp. 377–388.

  23. A.Y. Lewin and J.W. Minton, Determining organizational effectiveness: Another look, and an agenda for research, Management Science 32(1986)514–538.

    Google Scholar 

  24. J. Miller, Measuring and aligning information systems with the organizations, Information and Management 25(1993)217–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. E. Rhodes, Data Envelopment Analysis and related approaches for measuring the efficiency of Decision Making Units with an application to program follow through in U.S. public school education, unpublished dissertation, Carnegie-Mellon University, School of Urban and Public Affairs, Pittsburgh, 1978.

  26. H.A. Smith and J.D. McKeen, How does Information Technology affect business value? — A reassessment and research propositions, Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences 10(1993) 229–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. A. Srinivasan, Alternate measures of system effectiveness: associations and implications, MIS Quarterly (September 1985) 243–253.

  28. C.B. Stabell and F. Forsund, Productivity effects of computers in administration: An exploratory empirical investigation, prepared for the Seminar on the Assessment of the Impact of Science and Technology on Long-Term Economic Prospects, United Nations, Rome, March 1983.

  29. B. Szajna, Determining information system usage — some issues and examples, Information and Management 25(1993)147–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. H. Varian, The nonparametric approach to production analysis, Econometrica 52(1984)579–597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. P. Weill, Strategic investment in Information Technology: An empirical study, Information Age 12(1990)141–147.

    Google Scholar 

  32. P. Weill and M.H. Olson, Managing investment in Information Technology: Mini case examples and implications, MIS Quarterly (March 1989) 3–17.

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wang, C.H., Gopal, R.D. & Zionts, S. Use of Data Envelopment Analysis in assessing Information Technology impact on firm performance. Annals of Operations Research 73, 191–213 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018977111455

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018977111455

Keywords

Navigation