Information requirements analysis in the design of management information systems/decision support systems in academic libraries, using the critical success factors methodology

Academic libraries are complex organisations/professional bureaucracies in dynamic environments. Corporate information as a resource through well-designed management information systems/decision support systems (MIS/DSS) is vital to their success and strategic survival, but these are not being used in academic libraries. 'Off-the-shelf (network or turnkey) MSS/DSS will not answer their needs. Custom-designed systems are necessary, based on the individual organisation's planning situation and needs. Technical requirements for MIS/DSS are in place, through current automated integrated library systems (ILSs), information technology links, and software extensions. Data is potentially unlimited. Information overload is a problem for acquiring operational, tactical and strategic management information. Assessment of information requirements of library managers without information overload is seen as the greatest impediment to the successful design and use of 1VIIS/DSS. Information requirements analysis methodologies select only the most relevant management information, thus forming the most cost-effective basis for the design and use of MIS/DSS. Using Davis' contingency method, the most appropriate information requirements analysis methodology is identified for academic libraries, the Critical Success Factors (C SF) method. Applied strictly, using Bullen and Rockart's Primer, at a case study site, this exploratory study primarily examined its ease of use, its success in eliciting both individual and corporate CSFs from senior academic library managers, and secondarily its ability to establish relevant performance measures, reports, and linkages to data elements from their 1LS, as a basis for the design of a MIS/DSS. The use of the methodology can be replicated in any library environment, noting possible organisational factors influencing its success. Organisational influences on the decision-making environment in academic libraries will impact on the recognition and need for management information. This in turn affects the need for MIS/DSS. It also affects the success of the CSF methodology's application. Some of these influences, e.g. organisational structure, management approaches, and planning techniques are briefly reviewed. Future studies should take these into account. Examining these further will improve assessments of information requirements using the CSF method for the use and design of MIS/DSS in the library environment.