Global Information Technology Research: Past, Present And Future¹

Abstract

Research into Global Information Technology is only a few years old. However, even in this short span, the definition of global IT has evolved. This article first provides a three-part definition of global IT, and then goes on to examine the state of global IT research to date. Most research until now has been descriptive and exploratory. A case is made for conducting more rigorous and meaningful research in the future. Dubbed as "second generation research in global IT", the various elements of such research are described. The intent is to provide a good foundation for research in global IT.

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Notes on contributors

Prashant Palvia

Prashant Palvia is Professor of Management Information Systems at the University of Memphis. He received his Ph.D, M.B.A. and M.S. from the University of Minnesota, and B.S. from the University of Delhi, India. In addition to fifteen years in academics, he has nine years of industry experience. Dr. Palvia is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Global Information Technology Management, and is on editorial board of several journals. His research interests include international information systems, strategic information systems, database design, and software engineering. He has published over 50 articles in journals, such as: MIS Quarterly, Decision Sciences, Communications of the ACM, Information & Management, Decision Support Systems, and ACM Transactions on Database Systems, and over 75 articles in conference proceedings. He has co-edited two books on Global Information Technology, the latest being “Global Information Technology and Systems Management: Key Issues and Trends”, published by Ivy League Publishing, 1996.