Users as knowledge co-producers in the information system development project

This study investigates the role of users as knowledge co-producers in different stages of the information system development project. Data collected from 269 IS professionals supported our hypotheses that common knowledge has an impact on requirement determination, which, in turn, leads to better project performance. User–IS relationship can substitute the effect of common knowledge on requirement determination in the design stage and user review can ensure that the obtained requirements are actually carried out by developers in the development stage. As a result, higher project performance can be obtained. Discussion of the results and conclusions is also provided.

Research highlights► We investigate the role of users as knowledge co-producers in ISD project. ► Common knowledge has an impact on requirement determination. ► Requirement determination affects project performance positively. ► User-IS relationship can substitute common knowledge in the design stage. ► User review can ensure requirements to be carried out in the development stage.