The objective of the proposed research project is to apply feedback control systems analysis methods to address the process of technology innovations in organizations. Specifically, the initial focus of the project is to use a feedback model of costs and benefits to quantify factors influencing the success of information technology implementation efforts. Information technology in general and computer mediated communication systems in particular have been the subject of a large research literature base in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as human factors and computer sciences. One of the consistent findings from this diverse body of research is that new information technologies (IT's) often fail to meet the organizational, work group, and individual expectations of increased productivity and communication efficiency. The proposed research utilizes a methodology which, although new in terms of social science research, has a long tradition in systems engineering. This methodology combines the concepts of systems dynamics and economic cost and benefit analysis within the theoretical framework of both Living Systems and Sociotechnical Systems theories. By identifying situational, organizational, cultural, and other factors which affect successful IT implementation, a cost and benefits model can be derived which will apply to the diffusions of IT's and other communications or technology innovations across organizations.
