35 Applicability of Environmental Scanning Systems - A Systematic List Approach to Requirements Criteria Available to Purchase

The increasing volatility of their companies' environment is a growing concern for executives. Environmental scanning systems should enable them to focus earlier on emerging threats and opportunities. Although a substantial body of knowledge exists, a lack of applicability means the concepts often go unused in practice. But what does applicability mean for environmental scanning systems design? Adhering to the design science paradigm, this article contributes to better information systems (IS) design by developing a systematic list approach to requirements criteria that specify the applicability of environmental scanning systems. The criteria are derived from the principle of economic efficiency, use findings from the absorptive capacity theory, and can be applied to both evaluate existing environmental scanning systems and develop a new, more applicable generation. The findings should also be applicable to other IS domains.