The Role of Metaphors in Strategic Information Systems Planning.

Author List: Mason, Robert M.;

Journal of Management Information Systems, 1991, Volume 8, Issue 2, Page 11/30/2017.

This paper posits that (1) metaphors perform a crucial role in enacting strategy and linking strategic thinking with IT planning; (2) the war metaphor, which underlies many previous discussions of strategic information systems (SIS) is inadequate, possibly obsolete, in today's environment, and the shift away from this metaphor in the past few years is evidence of this; (3) other metaphors offer potentially more useful foundations for strategic thinking and SIS planning in today's world than the war metaphor; and (4) explicit articulation and exploration of alternative metaphors help identify strategic opportunities for information technology (IT) applications, designing SIS for global enterprises, and formulating research on SIS issues. This paper outlines these arguments and identifies desirable characteristics of metaphors, and discusses alternative metaphors of the organization as: an adapting organism, city-state, participant in organized team sports, an expression of philosophy, and expression of economic forces. The paper concludes with suggestions for research on the use of metaphor in strategy formulation and IT planning.

Keywords: Strategic Information Systems; strategic MIS planning

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List of Topics

#175	0.207	taxonomy systems different concept isd alternative generalization mechanistic distinction types generalizability theoretical speech richer induction original form inductive empirical organic
#123	0.186	information strategy strategic technology management systems competitive executives role cio chief senior executive cios sis support organization officer position ceos
#82	0.177	case study studies paper use research analysis interpretive identify qualitative approach understanding critical development managerial elements exploring points positivist presents
#78	0.154	planning strategic process management plan operational implementation critical used tactical effectiveness number identified activities years effective developed issues empirical plans
#250	0.119	enterprise improvement organizations process applications metaphors packaged technology organization help knows extends improved overcoming package learning better evolution build lead