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The stage hypothesis and the s-curve: some contradictory evidence

Published:01 April 1977Publication History
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Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study testing the s-shaped budget curve of Nolan's stage model of computer development in an organization. Research on the data processing budgets of California counties fails to support the s-shaped curve or the use of budgets as a basis for a stage model. However, the results do not invalidate the concept of a stage model. The analysis suggest an alternative model of budget growth and a separation between models of budgeting growth and growth stages in the development of the computer resource.

References

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  4. 4 Lucas, H.C. Jr. An empirical study of a framework for information systems. Decision Sciences 5, 1 (Jan. 1974), 102-114.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  5. 5 Nolan, R. Managing the computer resource: A stage hypothesis. Comm. ACM 16, 7 (July 1973), 399-405. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  6. 6 Uretsky, M. Discussion Comments. Proc. Wharton Conf. on Res. on Computers and Organizations, 1973; in Data Base 5, 2 (Winter 1973), pp. 65-67.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar

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  • Published in

    cover image Communications of the ACM
    Communications of the ACM  Volume 20, Issue 4
    April 1977
    85 pages
    ISSN:0001-0782
    EISSN:1557-7317
    DOI:10.1145/359461
    Issue’s Table of Contents

    Copyright © 1977 ACM

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    Association for Computing Machinery

    New York, NY, United States

    Publication History

    • Published: 1 April 1977

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