Joze Zupancic

Advances in Information Systems Development

Information Systems Development (ISD) progresses rapidly, continually creating new challenges for the professionals involved. New concepts, approaches and techniques of systems development emerge constantly in this field. Progress in ISD comes from research as well as from practice. The aim of the Conference is to provide an international forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences between academia and industry, and to stimulate exploration of new solutions.

Prospering in a transition economy through information technology‐supported organizational learning

Abstract.  This paper presents the findings of a longitudinal study of the Slovenian company Sava during its 1995–2004 transition period when it adapted to and prospered in a free market economy. The company is particularly interesting because of its successful transition from a socialist company operating in a protected market to a privatized company operating in a capitalist global market, as well as the pivotal role of information technology (IT)‐supported organizational learning that brought about radical change and successful transition. Our investigation of Sava’s experiences demonstrates how the company’s increasing attention to organizational learning, integration of working and learning, and its constant innovation of products and processes created new needs for IT support that motivated the adoption of new IT systems (such as Lotus Notes, document management systems, SAP), which in turn increased Sava’s capacity to learn. Furthermore, our study reveals how the role of IT systems in organizational learning depends on the nature of learning (single‐loop, double‐loop or triple‐loop learning) and the organizational level at which learning takes place (individual, group/department or organization). By providing insight into the emergence of distinct types of IT‐supported learning and their vital role in Sava’s successful transition, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between IT and organizational learning that is relevant and inspiring to other companies, especially those operating in transition economies.

Implementation of an Integrated Software Package

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are information systems that use an integrated database to support typical businesses processes within functional areas and consistent across areas (Alter, 1999). They are considered as natural winners for many organizations since they bring important benefits, such as corporate-wide data integration, improved tracking of business data, and Y2K compliance. ERP systems, currently sold by large software vendors such as SAP, Baan, Peoplesoft and Oracle, try to create an integrated data base that spans the major activities in a company. ERP packages are in most cases composed of modules that can be chosen and implemented independently, depending on organizations’ needs. Some of the most common modules are: sales and distribution, materials management, production and planning, finance and controlling.

Guest editor's corner

Information Systems Development (ISD) progresses rapidly, constantly creating new challenges and opportunities for the professionals involved. Progress comes from research as well as practical experience. During the past few years, many new concepts and approaches emerged in the information systems development field. The various theories, methods, and tools available to system developers also bring problems such as choosing the most effective approach for a specific task. The aim of the International Conference on Information Systems Development is to establish an international forum for the exchange of knowledge, experience, and new ideas, and to share and stimulate new solutions. This conference provides a meeting place for IS researchers and practitioners from eastern and western Europe, as well as those from other parts of the world. The Conference gives an opportunity for participants to express ideas on the current state of the art in information systems development methods and tools and to discuss and exchange views about new methods, tools, and their applications. The Fourth International Conference on Information System Development-lSD’94, which was held in Bled, Slovenia, from September 20 to 22, 1994, continues the concepts of the first PolishScandinavian Seminar on Current Trends in Information System Development Methodologies in Gdansk, Poland, in 1988, and the Second and the