Abstract
In principle, information systems should be tuned to provide optimal support for the business processes of the organisation in which they are used. In particular, this means maintaining alignment between information systems and business processes as an organisation evolves. Where this strategy becomes difficult, however, is when an organisation reaches a point where a ‘step change’ in information system support is required. This paper examines how such step changes can arise and considers the factors involved in realigning the organisation when encountered. The discussion is illustrated through an industrial study in KTL, an Irish telecommunications service company. The analysis of the situation uses Soft Systems Methodology.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsNotes
- 1.
http://www.intertradeireland.com/index.cfm/area/information/page/FUSION.
References
Mayle D (ed) (2006) Managing innovation and change, 3rd edn. Sage (with Open University), London
De Bono E (1971) Lateral thinking for management. Penguin Books, London
Hammer M, Champy J (1993) Re-engineering the corporation. Nicholson Brearley Publishing, London
Foster RN (1985) Timing technological transitions. Technology in Society, Special Issue: Technology in the modern corporation: a strategic perspective 7(2–3):127–141
Tushman ML, Anderson P (1986) Technological discontinuities and organizational environments. Admin Sci Quarter 31(3):439-465
Phaal R, Farrukh CJP, Probert DR (2004) Technology roadmapping—a planning framework for evolution and revolution. Technol Forecast Social Change 71:5–26
Checkland P, Poulter J (2006) Learning for action: a short definitive account of Soft Systems Methodology, and its use by practitioners, teachers and students. Wiley, New York
Checkland P (1999) Systems thinking, systems practice. Wiley, New York
Checkland P, Scholes J (1999) Soft systems methodology in action. Wiley, New York
Wilson B (2001) Soft systems methodology: conceptual model building and its contribution. Wiley, New York
Wilson B (1990) Systems: concepts, methodologies and applications. Wiley, New York
Lewis PJ (1992) Rich picture building in the soft systems methodology. Eur J Inf Syst 1(5):351–360
Acknowledgements
This work was completed through an IntertradeIreland FUSION project between KTL Ltd and the University of Ulster.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this paper
Cite this paper
McCabe, H., Bustard, D.W., Curran, K., Byrne, N. (2011). Managing Step Changes in Information System Support: Lessons from an Industrial Study. In: Pokorny, J., et al. Information Systems Development. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9790-6_39
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9790-6_39
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-9645-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-9790-6
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)