How Software Project Risk Affects Project Performance: An Investigation of the Dimensions of Risk and an Exploratory Model*
识别了软件项目风险的六个维度，基于社会技术系统理论构建并检验了探索性模型，发现社会子系统风险影响技术子系统风险，进而影响项目管理风险和项目绩效。
ABSTRACT To reduce the high failure rate of software projects, managers need better tools to assess and manage software project risk. In order to create such tools, however, information systems researchers must first develop a better understanding of the dimensions of software project risk and how they can affect project performance. Progress in this area has been hindered by: (1) a lack of validated instruments for measuring software project risk that tap into the dimensions of risk that are seen as important by software project managers, and (2) a lack of theory to explain the linkages between various dimensions of software project risk and project performance. In this study, six dimensions of software project risk were identified and reliable and valid measures were developed for each. Guided by sociotechnical systems theory, an exploratory model was developed and tested. The results show that social subsystem risk influences technical subsystem risk, which, in turn, influences the level of project management risk, and ultimately, project performance. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.