Making the matrix matter: strategic information systems in financial services

Article Abstract:

This study draws on findings from a sample of large Scottish-based financial institutions to examine the development and impact of innovative 'strategic information systems.' It contrasts prescriptive, discourse-based and institutional models of strategic IS (information systems) with a social constructionist approach. In this approach, the development of strategic IS is viewed in terms of IS functions' attempts to construct new ways of classifying and justifying IT investments. Such attempts are seen partly as a response to the dynamics of interprofessional competition, and partly as a means of handling the uncertainties of a shifting technological and sectoral environment. The case studies - which encompass remote banking, management information and branch network applications - highlight the impact of the new strategic vocabulary on the development and management of IS projects. The emergence, aims and eventual success or failure of such projects is seen to be closely linked to the parallel development of new ways of classifying IS work. The cases further demonstrate the role of both the institutional and sectoral context and the internal structuring of expertise (principally the role of the IS function within the management structure) in favouring or inhibiting the new categories of action associated with the strategizing of IS. The paper concludes by suggesting that institutionalized forms of classification may not only provide the most enduring legacies of new management paradigms, but may also stand as the greatest barriers to their success. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Financial Services, Finance and Insurance, Information Systems, Models, Financial services industry, Services, Scotland

---

De-escalation in decision making: a case of a disastrous partnership

Article Abstract:

De-escalation in decision-making involves withdrawing from a course of action that is proving to be ineffective. Unlike the concept of escalation, there is only a limited body of literature concerning de-escalation, with most of these studies contextualized in government bodies and giant public institutions. To ameliorate this imbalance, a case study of de-escalation is conducted using a model of de-escalation generated from the literature. It is shown that a decision to de-escalate is usually reached when there are substantially low levels of commitment and information. Nevertheless, the behavior of the individuals who make the decisions to de-escalate may be comparable to that of individuals who decide to escalate. These decision makers usually look for confirmatory data. Nevertheless, information alone is not enough to result in de-escalation. Perceived power can actually be the final determinant if there will be a de-escalation.

Decision-making, Decision making, Case studies, Partnership, Partnerships

---

Job insecurity and labour market lemons: the (mis)management of redundancy in steel making, coal mining and port transport

Article Abstract:

The mismanagement of the redundancy of British workers in the coal mining, steel and port transport industries has resulted in negative effects in both the internal and external labor markets. The efficiency and integrity of internal markets have been eroded by job insecurity in the 1990s while in the external markets redundant workers or lemons suffer readjustment problems due to companies which do not want to employ workers that have already been rejected by others. An alternative arrangement such as reconversion should be utilized to remedy the problems of redundancy.

United Kingdom, Economic aspects, Employment, Layoffs

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Organizational simulation and information systems design: an operations level example
• Abstracts: A theoretical assessment of the user-satisfaction construct in information systems research. The intellectual development of management information systems, 1972-1982: a co-citation analysis
• Abstracts: Federal Reserve trims key short-term interest rate; inflation seen under control. Pharmaceutical giants' merger seen
• Abstracts: Managing the international strategic sourcing process as a market-driven organizational learning system. Learning how and learning what: effects of tacit and codified knowledge on performance improvement following technology adoption
• Abstracts: Growing threat of cyberthieves in the intellectual marketplace. Board is expected to ban student use of laser pointers

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.