ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.1

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractBecause of its generic character, information technology (IT) is a key technology in changing the industrial structure and daily routines of companies. The diffusion process of new technologies, including information technology, is a complicated process and difficult to manage. Increasing understanding of this process means increasing management of the technology and its use. The diffusion process of a technology can be described by the form of a S-shaped curve. Such a curve is a function of time giving the penetration level of the particular technology. Because the function itself is dependent on so many variables and arguments, the only way to increase understanding of the existing status and the future improvements is to use modularisation (i.e. finding components whose behaviour can be managed) and thereby achieve an incremental increase in our knowledge of the continuing process. This investigation includes state-of-the-art studies, case-studies and analyses on the diffusion process of specific products. Each of these provides both quantitative and qualitative data to produce a synthesis giving a clear view of the diffusion process. This paper reviews some of the results of two studies (Jaakkola&Mertanen, 1990; Latvalaet al.,1990) on the diffusion of information technology in Finnish industry. The experiences and results of a national microelectronics program are reported. Basic principles and the character of the diffusion process are discussed, and in conclusion, certain details of the diffusion process of IT are discussed.

ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.2

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractInformation used for decision-making is often semi-quantitative, rather than quantitative in nature. For example, knowing that a student received the top mark in an examination may be more useful than knowing the precise mark achieved; similarly, to be given the information that a company has low market penetration in a given census district might be more important than to be given a numerical value derived from (say) sales divided by average take home pay. The purpose of this paper is to examine how database semantics can be enhanced to provide support for the interpretation of raw data, in order that the significance of the data can be understood. Thesignificanceof a reported result is usually dependent on its context, that is, the domain in which it appears, so it is clear that the notion ofcontextmust be supported. This paper describes extensions to the object-oriented model which involve equipping it with the means to handle contextual knowledge relating to the patterns of data values, and the means to perform analyses on the data held within the system. We hope to make good use of these extensions in two ways.As data is retrieved from the database it can be placed in context, that is, some measure of the significance of reported values can be given.This new knowledge can be used as a guide to query optimisation, since it allows the optimiser to determine, with greater accuracy, the expected size of the intermediate stages when performing a search operation.This paper concentrates on the rules necessary for the reporting of significance information, along with a control strategy for firing the rules, and a mechanism for the inheritance of significance data.

ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.3

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractThe growth and development of the information and communication technologies has led to a parallel profusion of different terminologies and literature. It is becoming increasingly difficult for managers and academics to find their way through the confusion and develop a common understanding of terminology. In an attempt at clarification, this paper looks at the main terms and definitions from a management perspective. Their overall use is assessed by an analysis of their usage in general management literature. It is clearly shown that although there are major overlaps and confusions, the term‘information systems’is the one in most widespread use. Finally we suggest a framework which may be helpful to those working in this field of research.

ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.4

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractThis paper considers the models of decision making which are used within the field of information systems. It argues that although decision making is of great relevance to the study of information systems insufficient attention has been given to the models by which IS professionals understand the process. Hard systems thinking has made a great contribution to IS in providing rational models of decision making, the work of H. A. Simon having been particularly influential; but the simplistic way in which such work is presented in IS texts ignores the role of social and political factors in decision making and imposes constraints in the complex social situations in which real world decision making occurs. An important contribution which the soft strand of systems thinking may make to IS is to provide a richer understanding of the nature of decision making through Vickers' concept of appreciation. The resultant‘appreciative model’of decision making emphasises the importance of the decision makers' perception of the organization and its situation in the interpretation of data, provides the basis for making a clear distinction between‘data’and‘information’, and has implications for the ways in which computerized information systems are developed.

ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.5

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractIn the face of multiple challenges and opportunities, in a turbulent business environment, chief executives are seeking to create more flexible and adaptable organizations. Increasingly these are taking the form of networks, with electronic links forwards to customers, backwards to suppliers and sideways to business partners. These networks are becoming global, bringing together all those who wish to contribute a proportion of their time to a particular mission. The staff of the network organization need to be supported by a communications network that is itself flexible and adaptable, and able to facilitate multifunctional, multi-location and multi-national team working. In the main the major constraints concern people, their skills and attitudes, and the management of technology, rather than the technology itself. IT professionals, and particularly IT directors, are sought who are able to facilitate change. IT directors require directional qualities which are distinct from those demanded of managers. They need a broad, strategic awareness and perspective concerning the requirements for responsive organizations, with continuing processes for adaptation and learning to meet the changing needs of customers.

ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.6

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractThere have been a number of claims made in recent years with respect to the utilisation of information technology as a source of competitive advantage and as a means of enabling and directing strategic moves. This paper presents evidence to suggest that, so far, identification and successful implementation of strategic information systems has arisen as often as not from happy circumstance rather than as a result of a process of strategy formulation. Because of this, many companies run the risk of missing out on an opportunity to compete on an equal footing with their international rivals in increasingly competitive and global markets. In addition, the paper warns that the process of identifying and implementing strategically significant information systems is a complex task, the result of which represents considerable risk to companies should there be inadequate preparedness on their part. In view of this, it presents guidelines which may help in improving management understanding of the process; deciding on an appropriate information systems strategy for a particular company/context, and successfully implementing strategic information systems. A contingent, socio-technical approach to strategic information systems planning is proposed.

ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.7

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractPrevious researchers in the USA and in the UK have identified the critical success factors involved in implementing executive information systems (EIS). British Airways, which has had a successful EIS for over seven years, has just launched a second generation version. Experience of developing and using the system reinforces some of the earlier findings whilst contradicting others. In particular EIS folklore suggests a weak role for IS staff, whereas the EIS in British Airways has been successfully pioneered by IS staff who have been responsible for developing, implementing and supporting it.

ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.8

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.9

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0960-085X    

DOI:10.1057/ejis.1991.10

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1991

数据来源: Taylor