Abstract
D.Comm.
This research was initially motivated for the concern with the fact that there are so
many Executive Information Systems (EISs) and other information systems available
in listed Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) companies as the content varies
dramatically from company to company or sometimes from division to division in the
same Group. This could lead to confusion for the user and interferes with decisionmaking.
To maximise use, but minimise confusion it is therefore important to make
sure that all information is in a standard format between the different divisions of the
company within the industry. In order to do so, it was considered necessary to
conduct an exploratory study to investigate the existence of an EIS in companies.
Top management, executives, directors, senior managers and potential other users
of EISs are firstly not always informed of the existence of an EIS, and/or secondly,
unaware of the fact that they can use an EIS as a tool to report and analyse their
companies on a day-to-day basis.Over the past few years, an increasing number of companies have implemented an
EIS. EISs are used to effectively analyse, evaluate and compare companies’
financial statements and performances. Although users, at all levels of the business,
have used an EIS, its success and shortcomings have yet to be documented
conclusively at the level of the companies in a South African (SA) context. This
research investigates whether listed JSE companies need a ‘standard’ ‘BIS to use as
a tool to analyse and measure their performances.The input of all users of an EIS
Synopsis iii
with regard to unmet needs will have a significance impact on the content of an EIS;
this in turn could result in ensuring them a key role in shaping the future of
companies.