fp6: [problem, business need]

Audio:

• http:./mp3/fp6.mp3

The environment defines the problem space (Simon 1996) in which reside the phenomena of interest.

For IS research, it is composed of

• people,
• (business) organizations,
• and their existing or planned technologies (Silver et al. 1995).

In it are the

• goals,
• tasks,
• problems,
• and opportunities
• that define business needs as they are perceived by people within the organization.

Such perceptions are shaped by

• the roles,
• capabilities, and
• characteristics
• of people within the organization.

Business needs

• are assessed and evaluated within the context of
  • organizational strategies,
  • structure,
  • culture, and
  • existing business processes.

They are positioned relative to

• existing technology infrastructure,
• applications,
• communication architectures,
• and development capabilities.

Together these define the business need or ``problem´´ as perceived by the researcher.

Framing research activities to address business needs assures research relevance.