Elizabeth More

Information systems: people issues

In this paper the chief argument is that for too long decisions and general thinking about information systems have. in the main, been narrowly economically and technologically focused, without adequate regard for the people factors in volved. By contrast, consideration is given here to some human issues and the broader organizational ones—particularly those of organization culture, power, communication and the change process—in an endeavour to present the case for more re search into these areas as vital contexts within which informa tion systems exist.

Relationship management for innovation: the central role of communication in australia's participation in two hi-tech industries

Individuals make decisions about whether innovations are adopted and transferred to new uses or locations. This Paper argues that relational competence Is critical for innovation management and technology transfer and that personal communication, formal and informal, is the core component in such competence. It shows how “close ties” and communication are critical to innovation, particularly given the changing nature and role of technolop management in the context o f rapidly increasing globalization. This is illustrated with reference to the communication in he mindset and practice of technology partnering in Australias participation in the aerospace and telecommunications industries.

The Communication Improvement Process—A Case Study in Diagnosis and Implementation

The growing complexity of the business environment over the past few years has had a significant impact on Australias insurance industry. In one large insurance company, ‘Insureco’ (pseudonym for a real organization), where significant reform had been instituted, senior management was concerned to discover how well the change had been communicated overall. There was also interest in what other implications of the change process needed to be focused upon to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization in the second half of the 1990s. A large scale communication audit was carried out as part of the ongoing process of managing organizational change. The paper reports on the audit process, the critical findings for the organization, and what action has been taken as a result.