The PRISM System: A Key to Organizational Effectiveness at Federal Express Corporation.

Author List: Pmshant C, Palvia; Perkins, James A.; Zeltmann, Steven M.;
MIS Quarterly, 1992, Volume 16, Issue 3, Page 277-292.
This paper examines a new type of information system rarely described in the MIS literature, probably because very few such systems exist today. The system, which we have labelled as an organizational effectiveness system (OES), is designed to ensure the health and well-being of an organization in an increasingly complex and turbulent world. Its purpose and net effect are to allow the organization to be flexible and responsive. PRISM, a system developed at Federal Express Corporation, is an imitable example of such a system. As an advanced multi-technology system, it includes core personnel functions, expanded personnel and organizational functions, and extensive external interface features. The PRISM system permits significant and constant interactions with all managers and all employees. This paper describes PRISM in considerable detail, as well as its impact and benefits. By extrapolating from the Federal Express experience, critical success factors are derived for the development and implementation of organizational effectiveness systems in other organizations.
Keywords: information system; management of information systems; Organizational effectiveness; organizational flexibility
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#26 0.209 business large organizations using work changing rapidly make today's available designed need increasingly recent manage years activity important allow achieve
#240 0.195 systems information management development presented function article discussed model personnel general organization described presents finally computer-based role examined functional components
#102 0.190 choice type functions nature paper literature particular implications function examine specific choices extent theoretical design discussion value widely finally adopted
#1 0.140 organizational organizations effectiveness factors managers model associated context characteristics variables paper relationships level attention environmental technological based maturity organization's relationship
#255 0.050 mis management article resources sciences developing organization future recommendations procedures informing organizational assessment professional groups area improving conference evaluate activity