Can Success be Learned?

Despite the many significant question–marks over the ability of information technology (IT) to deliver, we are greeted from time to time by the odd success story or two. These ‘pearls’ show how some companies do, in fact, get it right and demonstrate the significant performance improvements which can be gained through the success implementation of IT. However, one problem is that these success stories, though well–known and publicised, are few and far between. Whilst representing only a tiny percentage of the total IT expenditure incurred by industry and government, they continue to be held up as paragons of IT virtue. Although few and far between they provide valuable and powerful lessons on just how significant the contribution of IT can be. Yet, despite detailed analysis of the nature of their initiatives, similar initiatives have proved difficult both to emulate and to define.