39 research outputs found
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
The Politics of Public Debt: Neoliberalism, Capitalist Development, and the Restructuring of the State
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