Resource management in information technology diffusion projects: An application of data envelopment analysis

Resource utilization inefficiencies in the diffusion of information technology innovations have not been systematically studied. Given that organizational resources used to promote the spread of IT innovations are limited, an analytical methodology that can identify systemic resource utilization inefficiencies should be of significant use to management. We introduce Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) as an analytical methodology to examine resource utilization in the diffusion of IT innovations. The methodology is illustrated using simulated data. Theoretical, practical and managerial implications of our work are presented.