The relationship between technology and performance: a meta-analysis of technology models

The effective deployment of technology within an organizational context is of integral concern to fields associated with the management sciences. While there has been significant study of technology effectiveness, it is often piece-meal as diverse models are hypothesized and empirically tested. This paper attempts to examine the models purporting to study the fundamental question of effective use of technology. Models examining the technology-performance relationship are summarized and meta-analyzed in an attempt to provide a more integrated perspective of technology and the factors that interact with it to enhance performance at the individual, process, or organizational level. The models are evaluated on their common dimensions, and insights for further research are identified. A research plan, along with a research model, is proposed with the hope of facilitating future work in this area of imminent and growing importance. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.