The technology paradox: Characteristics, causes and implications for IT management

Abstract

The relationship between the implementation and development of information technology (IT) and improvements in business performance has been a matter of interest to professionals and researchers in Management since the 1980’s. Despite numerous studies that have attempted to determine the full impact of IT, no conclusive results have as yet emerged. This situation has been termed the productivity paradox or technology paradox of the new technologies. In this paper we define this phenomenon and propose some methods of analysis for detecting the kind of situations in which it occurs. Finally we propose an IT management model for use in companies.