Excellence in client/server information system implementations: understanding the STS connection

This paper uses the Socio‐Technical Systems (STS) model as a conceptual framework to explore client/server information system implementations, and demonstrates the logical disconnect between traditionally developed mainframe systems and the flexibility required to meet rapidly changing environments. Such flexibility can be afforded by client/server and web enabled technologies; however, to exploit these technologies, managers must improve the interaction between the technical and social systems of the organization during the information systems development process. In this paper, conditions for successful implementations are presented along with a technology migration model based upon the characteristics of and flexibility afforded by these newer technologies.