Although academic studies have shown a weak connection between investments in Information Technology (IT) and organizational efficiency, the Brazilian bank industry have significantly increased the volume of its investments in IT, aiming at the implementation of strategies and searching competitive advantages. The objective of this paper is to analyze the relative efficiency of IT investments in Brazilian banks from 1995 to 1999. An evaluation model is proposed using the DEA technique, supported on the concept of conversion effectiveness (Weill, 1989). Following the Operations Research methodology, the model was developed in two stages: (1) a survey with banks' executives to select organizational strategic variables affected by IT; and (2) interviews with executives to adapt the variables as input and output observable in balance sheets. The balance sheet data selected in the sample were provided by the Brazilian Central Bank. Most banks (72.2%) surveyed were found efficient. The biggest IT investors increased their relative efficiency during the period, overtaking the others. On the other hand, investing in IT is not always efficient.
efficiency model; TI investments; banking industry
