An exploratory study investigating transnational information systems

Transnational information systems (TIS) are information systems that cross organisational as well as national boundaries. This paper describes an exploratory study which gathered case study data from four TIS projects. The data was used to describe problems encountered during TIS development and management and to discuss solutions found for those problems. Problems and solutions were categorised according to domain (technical, organisational, and institutional issues) and according to development phase (identification, building, implementation, and maintenance). It was found that organisations tend to address difficulties by lowering the level of aspiration of the TIS rather than addressing problems head-on. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.