<b>Proposta de um modelo de mensuração para caracterizar sistemas de informação<\b>

Abstract

This study presents and validates a measurement model for characterizing information systems in organizations. It started with an empirical analysis of 394 information systems of Brazilian organizations that have undergone changes as from the interventions made by improvement programs. The model emerged from an exploratory factor analysis with part of the sample (159 respondents) and was validated by a confirmatory factor analysis using structural equations with the remaining responses. The results corroborated previous studies by showing the presence of four latent variables for the characteristics of information system. They are: (i) scope – the extent of coverage in terms of different user groups and number of functions (or functional areas) aided by the system, (ii) accessibility – the degree of ease of application access and data distribution, (iii) integration – the degree of integration with other information systems, internal or external to the organization, and (iv) focus – the degree to which IT directs its focus on supporting decision-making processes. The model proved to be very fit to the empirical data, showing scales with convergent validity, unidimensionality of items, reliability and discriminant validity of the constructs.