The linkage of information quality to an executive decision support framework for the financial service sector of a developing economy

Abstract

Background: Executives are steering organisations in our most turbulent economic times, whereby market disrupters are becoming the norm that are eradicating entire value chains of organisations. It is for this reason that decision support mechanisms for executives have become more critical than ever before. We have seen many leading organisations being reduced to market followers. This leaves many critical questions: What could the executives of those prior leading organisations have done to prevent this? Does the information that is being presented at various senior committees for decisions in an organisation contain information quality and is information quality linked to decisions made by executives? Objectives: This article presents mathematical evidence that information quality does form part of an executive decision support framework (EDSF) and confirms that information quality should form part of an EDSF. Method: A mixed method research approach was then followed where semi-structured interviews were held with chief information officers. The semi-structured interviews thereafter informed the survey questionnaires design. The survey questionnaires were statistically analysed using structural equation modelling and the maximum likelihood estimates method, to mathematically prove if information quality does form part of an EDSF. Results: This research provides evidence that information quality is linked to an EDSF and that information quality should form part of an EDSF. Conclusion: It is clear, therefore, that information quality is mathematically linked to an EDSF. Although information quality is made up of other latent variables that affect it, there is a strong correlation between information quality and an EDSF.

Keywords

• information
• quality
• EIS
• finance
• executives
• executive decision support