John Wiley Series in Information Systems – serie

Discussion of the precise nature of the Information System discipline has raged for more than twenty years and continues fiercely today. The most interesting aspect of recent debate is not only the sharpness and depth of the arguments, but the diverse conclusions arrived at by participants. While very different, these have all been reached with the genuine aim of strengthening IS scholarship, and they all add to our specific understanding of the discipline in the last two decades. Edited by two of the most prominent academics in the field, Information Systems - The State of the Field brings together such perspectives along with wider contextual discussion to provide a fertile ground for reflection, learning and further debate. It includes articles from Izak Benbasat, Robert Galliers, Rudi Hirschheim, Heinz Klein, Suzi Iacono, Wanda Orlikowski, Gerry DeSanctis, Bob Zmud, Dan Robey, Kalle Lyytinen, John King, Sal March and Ron Weber, all of whom also provide a short original commentary of their views on this debate.

The authors focus on the actuality of implementing CRM. They uncover the micro political, behavioural, psychological and knowledge issues that are all too often neglected in CRM implementations. Implementing CRM links CRM systems implementation with organizational change for the first time. It looks into the factors that distinguish firms that are more capable of connecting with their customers and awarded with customer loyalty with firms that are not as successful. Implementing CRM provides frameworks and ideas for how implementing CRM can be better handled.

As Information Systems matures as a discipline, there is a gradual move away from pure statistics towards consideration of alternative approaches and philosophies. This has not been incorporated into the literature of the field. Until now. Collecting major social theorists and philosophers into one volume, Social Theory and Philosophy for Information Systems provides a historical and critical analysis of each that is both authoritative and firmly focused on practical relevance to IS. The result is an insightful text for researchers, academics and students that will provide an up-to-date starting point for those considering alternative approaches.

Despite upheaval, industry continues to embrace the concepts of electronic commerce. Yet a major barrier to widespread implementation is uncertainty within organizations as how best to proceed. This proven guide to the implementation of B2C e-commerce addresses the documented uncertainties of business and consumers with Internet retailing by presenting the experiences of leading players in each of six economies. The countries represent a broad range of environments to identify issues that may be specific to a particular market, and the firms have been selected as significant examples of Internet retailing in industry sectors recognized as leaders in the use of the Internet.

Information Technology has become an essential component of contemporary society, allowing much faster and more widespread communication, not least through the growth of the Internet. However, many issues concerned with the human aspects of the use of IT remain problematic despite technological advances. An enhanced ability to collect and process data, or to communicate electronically across time and space, does not necessarily lead to improved human communication and action. This book explores the social aspects of computerisation, using a wide range of detailed case studies, analysed from a variety of conceptual viewpoints. A further distinctive feature of the book is that it draws on empirical material from across the world as a whole, including non-Western countries. It is argued that we should be using IT to support a world in which diversity and difference are respected.SynopsisMaking a World of Difference provides a context for the whole debate about the relationship of people and computers. It looks at the role of IS/IT in a modern society and the way it impacts on people, companies, economics etc. Prof. Walsham readily acknowledges that this environment is rapidly changing and that it is therefore important not to focus too closely on current technologies or one particular system of thought, but consider them as one of many other alternatives. It is structured to be of use for academics and business audience - Part 1 is holistic and reflexive, while Parts 2 and 3 are written for the busy manager who can consider the key issues independently.

Concerns computer-based information systems that can affect the decision making behavior of their users. It tells the reader how to describe these systems and how to differentiate one from the other. Its main features are: a broad definition of Decision Support Systems (DSS), a process view of decision making, which leads to viewing DSS as interventions into the processes through which decisions are made, and a descriptive rather than a prescriptive approach.

Identifies and analyzes the social, political and problematic nature of systems and the use of IT in contemporary society. Considers the growing complexity of IT management issues, the changing profiles and organization of the IS profession and the dominant rise of a user relations problem within modern systems development. Features a detailed, case study of a major systems project--from the early decisions involving desirability and design to launch and initial assessment. Analyzes the shift from a technological-led to a strategic and marketing-led use of IT.

EDI in Europe How It Works in Practice During the last decade, the use of information technology to support the exchange of information has been constantly growing. One of the most important areas of growth has been the application of technology to the exchange of structured information between companies - generally referred to as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). While adoption of EDI is widespread in the US, usage in Europe is reported as scant. This book addresses itself to the European situation and the potential for EDI in Europe. EDI in Europe begins by introducing the basic elements of the concept, and its benefits. It goes on to analyse 14 case studies drawing out the lessons to be learned - all of which gives the reader the opportunity to evaluate their own situation and choose the most suitable approach.

Amidst the accelerating change of an increasingly competitive global market, Information, Organization and Management demonstrates how business success in the global market place depends upon products and services rich in variety, value and instantly responsive to customer needs. This strengthening of the buyer's position has turned customer service into an important decisive factor for a corporation's market success. Competitive strategies must therefore re-evaluate the business-management goals of flexibility, time, quality and cost.

The person who runs the company sees IS as being the provider of solutions. "Don?t tell me about function point productivity. What we want is faster turnaround time for systems and we?re not getting it!" The person who runs the IS division recognizes that it has a strategic role. "The management is locked into a 1980s timewarp ? how do I persuade them that IS has more to offer than in the past?" The aim of the book is to step into the middle ground. It emphasizes the important role an IS manager plays in the development of the company strategy. It will show how the everyday problems need to be seen in a fresh perspective ? that of balancing the competing pressures of business and technology. Get too far from the technology and too close to the business, and technology will pull you back. Get focused on technology and lose sight of the business, and the business will make sure you know about it. The goal of this book is to provide IS managers with balanced information to guide them. Why does it matter? Because, in many ways, the future of our organizations is in the hands of today?s IS managers. Management Challenges in IS will help them make wise and thoughtful choices.

This book discusses a holistic approach to organizations. It explores alternative organizational forms and work practices, the use and availability of information systems, evolving skill requirements, the innovative power of information technology, the creation of knowledge, and the reshaping of industrial sectors. Presents forward-looking, exciting topics. Breaks the boundaries of functionally-based, overly deterministic information literature.

This book provides a forum of current thinking by prominent scholars and practitioners from around the globe. Edited and with a lengthy introduction by two internationally recognised experts in this field, the book's coverage includes: Selective Outsourcing, Total Outsourcing, Total Insourcing, IT department as a trading agency, Offshore Development. Theoretical perspectives allow critical variables to be extracted in order to explain successful or unsuccessful decisions, while decision frameworks and case studies provide guidelines on which sourcing options to select, and how to manage outsourcing arrangements.

The 'IT Productivity Paradox' is the concept that, despite massive investment and resourcing by companies and organizations worldwide in their IT systems, there still seems to be little pay-off. Information systems can no longer be viewed as a support service for a business - information technology now has a lead role to play in the strategic planning processes of any organization. As we move further and further into a technology-based working environment, a critical question is how the value of IT can be measured and evaluated. This book brings together a group of the most eminent academic and practitioner thinkers in the area, to consolidate what we know about best IT evaluation practice in a comprehensive and integrated manner, and also provide new ways forward. The key to understanding the productivity paradox is the methods of IT measurement used. Improved measurement can not only reveal that IT has often been more productive than is believed, but can also focus in on ways in which benefits can be improved across the IT systems life-cycle. Critical areas where improved assessment is essential include development, and better risk analysis; sourcing, including IT outsourcing; and infrastructure, including transforming an organization's IT architecture. The authors also take a look at stakeholder interests as a part of the overall evaluation process. Contributors to this volume have been selected not only for their status in the IS field generally, but also for their reputation in the IT evaluation area. As this topic gains increasing prominence as IT expenditure continues to increase, this book will be an invaluable reference for academics and practitioners alike in the areas of information systems, IT evaluation and assessment and IT management.