Information technology and new organizational forms: destination but no road map?

Abstract Throughout the 1980s there was a tremendous emphasis on business strategy. Many organizations developed sophisticated strategies with scant attention given to their ability and capability to deliver these strategies. Over the past few years a tremendous amount written about the organization of the 1990s, its characteristics and the key enabling role of information technology. While this presents us with a destination in general terms little attention is given in how to get there. This paper addresses this concern, beginning by reviewing six perspectives which best represent current thinking on new ways of organizing and outlines their characteristics. Having identified their key characteristics, three key issues which now dominate the management agenda are proposed. The vision: where do we want to be in terms of our organizational form? Gap analysis and planning: how do we get there? and Managing the migration: how do we manage this process of reaching our destination? Extending the traditional information systems/information technology strategic planning model, a framework is presented which addresses these concerns. This framework is structured around the triumvirate of vision, planning and delivery with considerable iteration between planning and delivery to ensure the required form is met.

[1]  R. Mason,et al.  Challenging strategic planning assumptions : theory, cases, and techniques , 1981 .

[2]  P. Kotler,et al.  Turbo marketing through time compression. , 1991, The Journal of business strategy.

[3]  K. Clark,et al.  Dynamic Manufacturing: Creating the Learning Organization , 1988 .

[4]  C. Mills,et al.  The Theory of Social and Economic Organization , 1948 .

[5]  Harold A. Linstone,et al.  The Unbounded Mind: Breaking the Chains of Traditional Business Thinking , 1993 .

[6]  Michael J. Earl,et al.  Management Strategies for Information Technology , 1989 .

[7]  Robert A. Burgelman.  A Process Model of Internal Corporate Venturing in the Diversified Major Firm , 1983 .

[8]  Charles R. Schwenk.  THE COGNITIVE PERSPECTIVE ON STRATEGIC DECISION MAKING , 1988 .

[9]  R. Galliers.  Strategic information systems planning: myths, reality and guidelines for successful implementation , 1991 .

[10]  C. Argyris.  Single-loop and double-loop models in research on decision making. , 1976 .

[11]  Alfred Dupont Chandler,et al.  战略与结构 : 美国工商企业成长的若干篇章=strategy and structure : chapters in the history of the American industrial enterprise , 1962 .

[12]  P. Senge.  The fifth discipline : the art and practice of the learning organization/ Peter M. Senge , 1991 .

[13]  W. Scott.  Organization Theory: An Overview and an Appraisal , 1961 .

[14]  S. Ghoshal,et al.  Matrix management: not a structure, a frame of mind. , 1990, Harvard business review.

[15]  Igor H.Ansoff.  Strategic Management , 1979 .

[16]  Sten Jönsson,et al.  Designing semi-confusing information systems for organizations in changing environments , 1978 .

[17]  Graeme Fogelberg,et al.  Commercializing the New Zealand post office , 1992 .

[18]  Jay W. Lorsch,et al.  Studies in Organization Design , 1970 .

[19]  David J. Miller,et al.  Configurations of strategy and structure: Towards a synthesis , 1986 .

[20]  R. Charan,et al.  How networks reshape organizations--for results. , 1991, Harvard business review.

[21]  Tom R. Burns,et al.  The Management of Innovation. , 1963 .

[22]  E. Burack.  Changing the company culture—the role of human resource development , 1991 .

[23]  Danny Miller,et al.  The Genesis of Configuration , 1987 .

[24]  Michael Hammer,et al.  Reengineering Work: Don’t Automate, Obliterate , 1990 .

[25]  Harrington Emerson,et al.  The Twelve Principles Of Efficiency , 2015 .

[26]  G. Johnson.  Managing strategic change--strategy, culture and action. , 1992, Long range planning.

[27]  B. Henderson.  Henderson on Corporate Strategy , 1979 .

[28]  R. E. Miles,et al.  Managing 21st century network organizations , 1992 .

[29]  Shoshana Zuboff,et al.  In the Age of the Smart Machine: The Future of Work and Power , 1989 .

[30]  A. Maslow.  Motivation and Personality , 1954 .

[31]  R. H. Waterman,et al.  In Search of Excellence , 1983 .

[32]  Henry Mintzberg,et al.  The Structuring of Organizations , 1979 .

[33]  Jon R. Katzenbach,et al.  Why Teams Matter , 1992 .

[34]  R. Kaplan,et al.  Core process redesign , 1991 .

[35]  C. Argyris.  Reasoning, learning, and action : individual and organizational , 1982 .

[36]  J. Ward,et al.  Strategic Planning for Information Systems , 1990 .

[37]  G. Stalk.  Time-The Next Source of Competitive Advantage , 1988 .

[38]  Henry Mintzberg.  The Nature of Managerial Work , 1974, Operational Research Quarterly (1970-1977).

[39]  S. Bradley,et al.  Outsourcing and industrial decline , 1992 .