Houston H. Carr

Critical success factors for information center managers

A stage hypothesis for information centers (ICs) is proposed and 26 critical success factors (CSFs) for IC managements are investigated. Based on 311 responses from IC managers, support is found for the proposed stages and information is provided about the importance of the CSFs. A principal components analysis is performed on the 26 CSFs which identifies five composite CSFs: (1) commitment to the IC concept; (2) quality of IC support services; (3) facilitation of end-user computing; (4) role clarity; and (5) coordination of end-user computing. Statistical tests show that the importance of these composite CSFs tend to vary among themselves but is relatively constant individually across the IC stages.

Risk analysis for information technology

As Information Technology (IT) has become increasingly important to the competitive position of firms, managers have grown more sensitive to their organizations overall IT risk management. Recent publicity concerning losses incurred by companies because of problems with their sophisticated information systems has focused attention on the importance of these systems to the organization. In an attempt to minimize or avoid such losses, managers are employing various qualitative and quantitative risk analysis methodologies. The risk analysis literature, however, suggests that these managers typically utilize a single methodology, not a combination of methodologies. This paper proposes a risk analysis process that employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. This process should provide managers with a better approximation of their organizations overall information technology risk posture. Practicing managers can use this proposed process as a guideline in formulating new risk analysis procedures and/or evaluating their current risk analysis procedures.

Strategic Implications of Electronic Linkages

Abstract In this article, senior executives comment on the strategic issues involved in EDI. Trading partner relationships and the balance of power are critical issues when firms participate in electronic commerce. the relationships between trading partners who exchange data electronically are very important to these executives. the participants in the study also are concerned about the relative power between their firm and other members of the supply chain.

Implementing information technology for competitive advantage: risk management issues

Abstract As the use of information technology (IT) has expanded, managers of organizations have come to realize that IT can be used to gain, sustai, or combat competitive advantage. The implementation of IT involves significant risks both from external sources and from the technology and process of implementation. Risk management is the science and art of recognizing the existence of threats, determining their consequences on resources, and applying modifying factors in a cost-effective manner to keep adverse consequences within bounds. Strategies for handling risk necessarily address one or more of the components of risks identified here. The appropriate strategy depends on the nature of the risk and other situational variables that influence the organizations range of choices. This paper discusses approaches to risk analysis appropriate for IT and contains some suggested tools for risk analysis and management.

Intraorganizational Versus Interorganizational Uses and Benefits of Electronic Mail

The success of an organization depends on rapid, reliable, and direct communications within the organization and with the outside world. To determine if electronic mail e-mail provides a competitive benefit, a sample of 99 management-level participants in 41 companies responded to a survey that assessed their intraorganizational internal and interorganizational external uses of e-mail. Through the use of factor analysis and regression methodologies, the researchers investigated whether a significant relationship exists between the internal and external uses and benefits of e-mail. The intraorganizational uses of e-mail indicated a significant and positive relationship with the organizational benefits of e-mail, thus, supporting the electronic exchange of information within organizations.However, the results indicated that interorganizational uses of e-mail did not promote corporate communication outside the company. Thus, managers need to know which communication technology is appropriate for intraorganizational and interorganizational uses.

Are information centers responsive to end user needs

Abstract End user computing (EUC) has developed into a critical part of the information resource of the organization. The information center (IC), an essential support and control mechanism for EUC, has also become a critical component of the organizations information resource. ICs support the end users by providing services for them. Our study surveyed 126 ICs to determine which services they presently offer, which ones they do not offer, and which ones they previously offered but discontinued. In addition, the study collected data on services requested by the end users. This paper furnishes a definitive catalog of services offered by ICs and compares them with the services requested by end users. The findings illustrate the responsiveness of ICs to their end user communities. Even though ICs typically offer a broad variety of services, there are differences in the services most offered by ICs and services most requested by end users.

Organizing for decision support system support: The end-user services alternative

Abstract:There are a number of organization structure alternatives for supporting decision suport systems, and each alternative has its advantages and disadvantages. One emerging alternative, that of providing support through an end-user services group, is being successfully used by the Oglethorpe Power Corporation.

An Investigation of Telecommunications as a Plan Location Decision Criterion

The concept of site selection has received extensive attention throughout history. Although plant location decision issues have always been important to US manufacturing firms, the impact of global competition has increased recognition of their importance. To successfully compete globally, manufacturers must have an effective global supply chain infrastructure, which requires effective communications. However, plant location strategies change over time, because of the dynamic nature of the variables that determine a location decision. This study was conducted to extend the location decision taxonomy by including telecommunications. The research included a specification of telecommunications attributes that impact site selection, the importance of telecommunications as a location decision criterion and the differences in location decision criteria between domestic US and foreign sites. The telecommunications-specific attributes determined in this study include: telecommunications infrastructure, cost, reliability, bandwidth, personnel, local and US government restrictions, and local and US government regulations on exporting and importing data. The conclusions of this study not only present evidence that telecommunications is influencing decision-makers in site selection, but also provides a list of criteria that are critical to site selection.

Factors that affect user-friendliness in interactive computer programs

Abstract The increased use of interactive programs on mainframe and personal computers has made designers (creators) of programs acutely aware of the man-machine (or user-program) interface. Such awareness is a result of users becoming more informed that computers and programs can be made friendly. This research discusses factors that affect the acceptance of interactive programs and presents the results of a survey of 124 computer program designers and users. Respondents rated the importance of 20 factors and the frequency with which they are used, and placed them in order of importance. The results should guide designers in improving acceptance of their product.

Information center services: an empirical study

126 information centers (ICs) were surveyed to determine which services they offer, which ones they do not offer, and which ones they offered previously but discontinued. Based on the survey responses, a definitive list of 35 individual IC services offered by information centers was obtained. Although only seven of the services are offered in les than one-half of the responding companies, some services are offered less frequently than expected. The service group of software support is offered most frequently and the miscellaneous support group is offered least frequently. It is observed that the diversity of these services and the frequency with which they are offered indicate that the IC continues to be a strategically important concept for supporting end-user computing in organizations.<<ETX>>