CLICK, MEASURE, SUCCEED: A BIBLIOMETRIC JOURNEY AND EMERGING RESEARCH GAPS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS (IS) EFFECTIVENESS

Abstract

Information Systems (IS) effectiveness has emerged as a critical research area in the face of rapid digital transformation and the increasing reliance on technology across various sectors. Despite the field’s maturity, theoretical development and research focus remain fragmented, necessitating a comprehensive synthesis of its evolution. This study presents a bibliometric analysis titled “Click, Measure, Succeed: A Bibliometric Journey of Theoretical Contributions and Research Gaps in Information Systems Effectiveness” to uncover historical trends, influential works, key contributors, and potential research gaps. The problem underpinning this research lies in the limited understanding of how theoretical contributions—particularly the DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model (D&M ISSM), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and the Task-Technology Fit (TTF) model have shaped and evolved within the IS effectiveness domain over time. To address this, bibliographic data were extracted from the Scopus database using defined keywords, yielding a refined dataset of 1,121 publications spanning from 1975 to 2025. The data were cleaned and standardized using OpenRefine, analyzed quantitatively via Scopus Analyzer, and visualized through VOSviewer version 1.6.20, enabling the mapping of co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and citation networks. Key findings reveal a notable publication surge after 2020, with the United States, Indonesia, and Malaysia leading in output. Seminal works by DeLone and McLean dominate citation metrics, underscoring the enduring influence of the D&M ISSM. In contrast, research grounded in TAM and TTF increasingly highlights user acceptance and alignment between tasks and technology as critical factors in the success of IS. Keyword clustering reveals four thematic concentrations: system quality, service performance, user satisfaction, and digital transformation. Despite growing interest, collaboration among countries remains limited, and theoretical diversification is still narrow. This study contributes to academic discourse by mapping the intellectual structure of IS effectiveness research and identifying gaps that warrant further exploration, particularly in emerging economies and across disciplinary boundaries. By consolidating fragmented knowledge, this research aids scholars in navigating past contributions while paving strategic directions for future inquiry into IS effectiveness.