BRIDGING MINDS AND MACHINES: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT DYNAMICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract

The deployment of information systems (IS) within organizations represents one of the most complex and high-stakes endeavours in modern enterprise management. Despite significant advances in software engineering and project management methodologies, IS implementation failure rates remain alarmingly high, with estimates suggesting that between 50% and 70% of large-scale IS projects fail to meet their original objectives. This research paper presents a comprehensive empirical analysis of stakeholder engagement as a critical determinant of IS implementation outcomes. Drawing on a mixed-methods investigation encompassing survey data from 347 organizations across 18 industry sectors, supplemented by 42 in-depth executive interviews, the study identifies key engagement frameworks, categorizes stakeholder archetypes, and quantifies the impact of structured engagement strategies on adoption, resistance, and overall project success. Findings reveal that organizations employing systematic, multi-phase engagement protocols achieve success rates up to 4.8 times higher than those relying on ad-hoc approaches. The paper concludes with a synthesized BRIDGE Engagement Framework and actionable policy recommendations for IS practitioners, project managers, and organizational leadership