Robert Klepper

Assimilating New Technologies: The Role of Organizational Culture

Abstract A technology may have met all the necessary user requirements, had buy-in from senior management, and yet be a resounding failure because the crucial role of organizational culture was overlooked. Like most social issues, organizational culture is amorphous, difficult to measure and quantify. This article helps IS managers analyze their own organizations culture to discover the role it will play in adopting a new technology.

FP-S: A simplified function point counting method

Abstract This article presents a simplified method for counting function points. The method is a modification of Albrechts well-known detailed function point counting method. One inhibitor to the widespread use of function points as a measure of information systems work output is the time required to complete the function point counting task. The simplified method described here was developed in the McDonnell Douglas Corporation and has the potential to reduce the time required for the counting task with no significant reduction in accuracy.

The management of partnering development in I/S outsourcing

Proposes management initiatives that can be taken by a client firm to lower the cost and speed the development of partnership relationships with vendors in the provision of information systems services. The analysis is based on an extension of R.F. Dwyer, P.H. Schurr and S. Ohs (1987) model of partnership development. The analysis suggests that a client firm can be proactive in selecting vendors with potential to become partners and can take action to reduce the cost and speed the process of moving through the exploration and expansion stages of partnership development. A case study is presented which illustrates one approach to the application of these principles in a real world setting.<<ETX>>

An agency theory perspective on information centers

A theory of information center (IC) formation and evolution based on concepts from agency theory is presented. In the theory, information centers are agents of the management information systems (MIS) department and are formed to help MIS control and direction of end-user computing, particularly the selection of end-user technology. The theory explains important aspects of the management of ICs and interprets the future of ICs in terms of their waning usefulness as a control mechanism for the MIS Department.<<ETX>>

Assimilation of new information technology and organizational culture: a case study

Many organizations encounter difficulties as they adopt new information technology. This article presents a case study of a troubled information systems project based on new technology. It shows the ways in which organizational culture can work against successful new technology assimilation. The study utilizes a relatively simple organizational framework for assessing the nature of corporate culture; the framework is useful for predicting the potential for problems in new technology assimilation that have their sources in organizational culture.

Developing efficient relationships with I/S vendors: a contingency framework

This paper proposes a contingency framework for answering the questions: What is the range of options available in outsourcing relationships? And, how can the best, most appropriate relationship be identified? Answers to these questions are important because of the considerable resources that will be devoted to outsourcing in the future. A case study analysis is proposed for a test of the framework.

Designing and managing local area networks: a survey of LAN personnel

Abstract A survey was conducted of planners of 45 local area networks (LANS) of personal computers used for office work found in a large metropolitan area. Usable responses were obtained from the planners of 27 of the LANS, a response rate of 60%. The planners were asked to rank 79 LAN planning criteria and to identify problems they encountered in managing the LANS. Twenty-one planning criteria were identified by planners as important or very important in the design of LANS. Five planning criteria were identified as unimportant by the planners. The planning criteria considered important varied between general purpose LANS and LANS primarily serving special applications. The planning criteria considered important also varied with LAN size. Few problems were encountered by the planners in this survey and the amount of time the planners felt should be committed to managing the LANS was modest. Installation problems were the most frequently cited.

The impact of end-user computing on information systems development

In their study of user managers systems needs, Alloway and Quillard surveyed 529 managers to determine whether current systems supported their information needs. Managers reported that only 44% of the installed base of application systems, most of which were transaction processing systems, were useful. Inquiry systems, which enabled managers to query data bases and to generate reports, and data analysis systems, which provided opportunities for modeling, simulating, and statistical analysis, were overwhelmingly favored by the managers surveyed. However, few of these analysis and inquiry systems existed (Alloway and Quillard, 1983).

Integrating computer science and information systems

The Master of Science, major in Computing and Information Systems (CIS) is a graduate program offered jointly by the graduate faculties of the Department of Computer Science in the School of Engineering and the Department of Computer Management and Information Systems in the School of Business. We describe the nature of the program and emphasizes the advantages of a joint degree program that spans academic units. We also touch on problems that may be encountered and how they can be overcome. The successes realized and situations encountered by this merger may benefit other institutions that face similar resource constraints.

Dynamic theories of end-user computing: an assessment and critique

The authors review prominent dynamic theories of end-user computing and end-user computing management. These theories were put forward by: Henderson and Treacy (1988); Huff, Munro, and Martin (1988); Alavi, Nelson and Weiss (1987); Munro, Huff and Moore (1987); Brown and Bostrom (1989); and Magal, Carr, and Watson (1988). The paper evaluates these theories and suggests approaches that MIS theory builders can take to strengthen end-user theory in the future.<<ETX>>