Webster Definition

Investment: the outlay of money usually for income or profit; to commit money in order to earn a financial return; to make use of for future benefits or advantages.

Construct Definition

The underlying question in this construct is: What are the financial benefits of IS investment for organizations?
Some people claim that the benefits of IS investments can only be realized over long periods of time. Others argue that IS investments have the potential to provide important benefits within the same year the investment is made. The opinion also exists that IS investments have a negative effect on organizations. The reality is that there are huge variations across organizations and there is no standard method of measuring or defining IS Investment.