Toward a Better Understanding of Information Technology Organization: A Comparative Case Study.

Author List: Blanton, J. Ellis; Watson, Hugh J.; Moody, Janette;
MIS Quarterly, 1992, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 531-555.
The role of information technology (IT) has changed from being merely a tool for processing transactions to a weapon that can affect an organization's competitive position. Because of this change, previous organizational structures for IT groups may no longer be adequate. Organizational theorists have shown that the appropriate structure is influenced by the organization's external environment and strategy. This study contributes toward a better understanding of IT organization by exploring the relationship between the organizational structure of IT groups and the effectiveness of IT support in two companies with similar IT environments. Specifically, the study uses: (1) qualitative analysis to examine IT organizational structure in two very similar companies; (2) quantitative analysis to determine which company has more effective IT support; and (3) an expert panel to identify those differences in IT organizational structure that appear to facilitate effective IT support. Several propositions from these findings are presented and discussed.
Keywords: differentiation; information technology; management of information systems; Organizational structure
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List of Topics

#123 0.236 information strategy strategic technology management systems competitive executives role cio chief senior executive cios sis support organization officer position ceos
#1 0.141 organizational organizations effectiveness factors managers model associated context characteristics variables paper relationships level attention environmental technological based maturity organization's relationship
#277 0.121 structure organization structures organizational centralized decentralized study organizations forms decentralization processing communication sharing cbis activities appropriate provide identify organizing communications
#82 0.107 case study studies paper use research analysis interpretive identify qualitative approach understanding critical development managerial elements exploring points positivist presents
#145 0.093 differences analysis different similar study findings based significant highly groups popular samples comparison similarities non-is variety reveals imitation versus suggests
#4 0.092 characteristics experience systems study prior effective complexity deal reveals influenced companies type analyze having basis conducted determine complex comparative drive
#174 0.087 use support information effective behaviors work usage examine extent users expertise uses longitudinal focus routine revealed volume constructs contributes operations