THE NATURE AND BEHAVIOR OF FINANCIAL VERSUS MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Manufacturing management information systems are in a relatively less mature state than financial information systems. This difference in maturity is due in part, to historical reasons, and to the complex and dynamic nature of manufacturing system attributes. This research compares the various system attributes belonging to manufacturing and financial information systems. Application of inappropriate system design techniques (based on these system attribute differences) has contributed to the relatively high failure rate of manufacturing management information systems. The research analyzes the need for the development of design tools geared specifically toward manufacturing management information systems.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

Information Technology, Diffusion, and the Human Services Industry

There has been substantial research in the diffusion of innovation as applied to information systems. For nearly twenty years, this research has relied mostly on IS-process models and IS-factor models. IS-process models consider the typical stages of incorporation of information technologies (IT) into the organization (Gibson and Nolan, 1974; McKenney and McFarlan, 1982). IS-factor models examine the various technological, organizational, and external environmental characteristics that relate to IS-diffusion within an enterprise. Kwon & Zmud (1987) and Fichman (1992) provide extensive reviews of earlier factors research, and outline several factor areas that need further exploration. Current literature includes a third modelthe consequencemodel for IT diffusion. In this model, the extent of IT diffusion serves as an intervening variable, with organizational consequences serving as the dependent variable (Ferns & Palley, 1995). The literature on IT diffusion provides little information about IT diffusion innonbusiness sectors. There have been some IT diffusion studies that include public administration areas (Bretschneider & Wittmer, 1993), education (Trachtman, Spirek, Sparks & Stohl, 1991) and healthcare systems (Palley, 1991). Nonetheless, there has beenlittle investigation of IT diffusion on other nonprofit sectors. This research addresses problems in applying existing theory on IT diffusion to the Human Services sector, and in Direct Service Providers (DSPs), as defined below, in particular. One, thereare few studies in the literature that even describe the extent of IT diffusion in DSPs. Second, most factorsmodel studies operationalize the factor constructs in the context of business organizations. The metrics used in these studies may not be appropriate for DSPs. Finally, studies of the consequences of IT diffusion are rare, and this is particularly true of IT diffusion in DSPs. The lack of data on these consequences creates a vacuum in which potential innovators may have only subjective information on which to base implementation decisions. In such cases, potential innovators may either inappropriately implement or resist IT innovations. This research considers DSPs in terms of standing ITdiffusion research, and indicates probable reasons that have contributed to low levels of diffusion. We examine DSP structural characteristics, contrast the information needs of this sector to business sectors, and project what IT diffusion theory indicates within this industry. This research also will weigh the opportunity costs associated with the lack of IT/DSP diffusion research and will suggest significant areas where more knowledge of IT diffusion would have the greatest potential utilit

SENIOR MANAGEMENT, THE LOCUS OF DECISION MAKING AND THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

An earlier study (Lucas, 1984), while finding support for the Hickson (1971) framework for organizational power, found that department managers in three major industrial firms rated their information services department as the least critical of five departments, for success in their industry. This study polled 37 plant managers from the same firms. Plant managers, like their department manager counterparts, considered the information services department least critical for success. Centralization of decision making was found to be positively related to information services department power. Finally, implications of the study on distributed versus centralized information processing are discussed.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

SPREADSHEET ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

Spreadsheet programs and microcomputers have revolutionized information processing in organizations. Users have adopted spreadsheets to solve problems and circumvent the long delays encountered in dealing with the traditional information services department. A significant number of serious errors have been reported through the misuse of spreadsheet technology. This paper discusses several different contexts for the development of spreadsheet models and presents structured design techniques for these models. The recommended approach to spreadsheet analysis and design encourages the use of a block structure format for the worksheet and introduces Spreadsheet Flow Diagrams as a systems design tool. The objective of this design approach is to reduce the probability and severity of spreadsheet errors, improve auditability and promote greater longevity for spreadsheet models.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

Spreadsheet analysis and design

Spreadsheet programs and microcomputers have revolutionized information processing in organizations. Users have adopted spreadsheets to solve problems and circumvent the long delays encountered in dealing with the traditional information services department. A significant number of serious errors have been reported through the misuse of spreadsheet technology. This paper discusses several different contexts for the development of spreadsheet models and presents structured design techniques for these models. The recommended approach to spreadsheet analysis and design encourages the use of a block structure format for the worksheet and introduces Spreadsheet Flow Diagrams as a systems design tool. The objective of this design approach is to reduce the probability and severity of spreadsheet errors, improve auditability and promote greater longevity for spreadsheet models