A Model for Merging Information Systems; A Case Study of the Air Force Material Command Merger

Abstract : As the Department of Defense continues to shrink, downsizing and rightsizing are terms that often indicate that changes are inevitable to many military units and organizations, some of these changes result in organizational mergers. One of the critical areas for such mergers lies within getting the information systems of the premerger organizations to work together. This thesis presents a model for merging information systems as part of an organizational merger. The proposed model, synthesized from existing technical and non- technical models and guidelines, addresses five key areas for consideration for a successful information systems merger. Those areas are: (1) Organizational Structure, (2) Information and Data Flow, (3) Cultural Factors, (4) Common Technologies, and (5) Common Goals. A case study of the Air Force Materiel Command merger was examined to test the model and to comment on the results of their efforts for future merger activities. Merger, Organizational change, Acquisition, Integration.