ABSTRACT
Information systems (IS) failure is characterized as one particular form of evaluation of IS performance. It is multidimensional and relative to stakeholder interests. The objective of failure studies is to assist understanding of how to achieve success. This entry reviews recent performance data to assess the magnitude of the issue. It traces historical developments in the understanding of failure. It examines various changes that have affected perceptions of IS performance. It identifies a number of cognate subliteratures whose emergence recently signals a growing maturity of analysis. The entry proposes a framework by which to understand the historical development of academic research in this field. Finally, it offers some key conclusions for academic research and for practice.
