Information Technology Planning Research Articles

An application of TOPSIS method for ranking different strategic planning methodology

Article history: Received January 14, 2014 Accepted 10 June 2014 Available online June 12 2014 Strategic planning is one of the most popular methods for setting up long-term objectives, which normally deals with various criteria. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is a multi-criteria decision analysis method for ranking different alternatives based on various criteria. The method has been widely used among practitioners in different industries. This paper presents an empirical investigation to rank different business development strategies for information technology improvement. The study considers five different strategies including Critical Success Factors Analysis, Business Systems Planning, Porter's forces model, SWOT analysis, Value chain Analysis and MIN and rank them based on TOPSIS technique. The results of the implementation of TOPSIS has indicated that MIN method is ranked first as the most important factor followed by Business Systems Planning, Porter's forces model, Value chain Analysis, SWOT and CSF for development of strategic planning for information technology in municipality organization. © 2014 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Editorial Policy and Style Information

<b>Editorial Policy and Style Information</b>

The Relationship between Strategic Information Systems Planning Situational Factors, Process Configuration and Success

This paper reports a study into the relationship between the configuration of the process of Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) and the success of SISP. SISP is an important activity in the alignment of information technology systems and services to business requirements. However, despite the obvious importance of a proper planning of information technology and information systems in organizations, success of SISP is not evident. And as the success of SISP is also influenced by the process followed in developing the SISP, the research question for this study was, “How does the configuration of the SISP process influence the success of the SISP?” Based on an explorative multi case study, we concluded that the specificity and comprehensiveness of strategies, goals and decisions in an organization has a positive effect on the success of SISP. Another conclusion was that a more dominant role of the IS/IT organization in the SISP process influences the quality of the SISP deliverable positively, but has a negative effect on the building of partnership between business and IT in the organization. A final conclusion was that following a formal SISP methodology does not seem to have an effect on the success of SISP. These findings provide guidance for practitioners that plan to develop an SISP as part of their efforts to align business and IT.

A Collaborative Model of Information Technology Strategic Plan for the Government Sector

Information Technology (IT) is strategic for organization management (Stair &amp; Reynolds, 2005), although, many companies lack IT governance and planning, skilled people, defined and institutionalized methods and procedures, internal controls and indicators, and structures for agreement service levels and information security, legality, and economy. In this scenario, a minimum organization and control in the use of resources is needed to boost technical and administrative efficiency, with a focus on IT governance. An Information Technology Strategic Plan (ITSP) aims at discovering the resources and IT in an organization, to direct the technological and information architecture to its strategic objectives. The Brazilian Government issued a Normative Instruction (NI04) for public organizations to develop IT Strategic Plans so that they can purchase products and services. In order to help organizations develop, control and manage their ITSPs, a model was created that defines a set of auxiliary steps in the construction of the ITSP. Throughout this article we present an ITSP development and management model, its evaluation, and our conclusions.

Research and Application on Information Resources Planning for University

Information resource planning is a bridge for information technology planning and implementation, which plays a connecting role. This paper discusses the basic principles and methods of information resources planning. Taking University Information Resource Planning as example, this paper introduces the business process analysis, requirements analysis, business modeling and system modeling of the University core business processes, at last proposes the reference model for practical application from practice.

Modernising pathology services: modelling effective IT project collaboration

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to adapt a causal modelling approach to investigate the organisational collaboration and information technology (IT) project management issues concerning the planning and adoption of inter‐organisational IT systems across NHS hospital pathology departments.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers adopted an interpretive research approach utilising qualitative methods and in particular template analysis. Themes and categories were initially derived from a review of the literature based on critical success factors from enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects.FindingsA causal loop modelling approach was adapted to define key linkages between success factors. This highlighted virtuous and vicious cycles associated with IT project management and team collaboration – influencing the adoption process of large‐scale integrated IT systems.Research limitations/implicationsSingle case studies can be problematic in terms of generalising from the research. The study had a limited number of interview participants due to the focus on strategic management. Future studies could extend the number of stakeholders involved and also focus on end‐users of services, such as clinicians in primary care.Practical implicationsThe discussion and conclusions assess the appropriateness and utility of using a causal modelling approach, and an adapted causal loop model, to inform more effective approaches to IT planning, project management, team collaboration and adoption of integrated systems.Social implicationsThe findings indicate that a more enhanced understanding of project team collaboration involving technical, administrative and clinical stakeholders has the potential to inform more effective strategies for modernisation of hospital clinical services such as pathology.Originality/valueThis study investigates the anatomy of a high‐profile IT project under the umbrella of strategic modernisation of health services. Privileged access to key stakeholders has enabled the development of a causal model for IT project collaboration and management. This will form the basis for further development of more refined models to enhance project outcomes in the future.

How do Information Technology and Integrative Planning drive performance in today's supply chains?

Prior studies suggest that integrating information technology and planning plays an important role in operational performance. But how do Information Technology and Integrative Planning (ITIP) drive performance in today's supply chains? How do these capabilities interact with each other? In order to fill this research gap, this study applies Transaction Cost Theory (TCT) and Resource-Based View (RBV) to investigate integration resources within the supply chain. The paper demonstrates with a sample of 124 supply chain experts and structural equation modelling that internal communication and connectivity do not have a direct impact on operational performance. However, these resources are antecedents of performance-related integration. In contrast, inter-company integration in ITIP are resources with significant influence on operational performance. These findings encourage supply chain managers to focus attention on antecedents and performance drivers in order to realise the advantages of integrated information technology and planning in the supply chain.

The Effect of Information Technology Steering Committees on Perceived IT Management Sophistication in Hotels

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of information technology (IT) steering committees on perceived IT management sophistication in hotels. MANOVA was used to test if there was a significant difference in the levels of IT management sophistication between hotels that have an IT steering committee than in hotel companies that do not have such committee. Results indicated that the hotels that have an IT steering committee have a higher level of IT planning, culture, integration, control, and organization sophistication. Such committees are of strategic importance to the overall success of the hotel in achieving not only its IT strategic objectives, but also gaining an edge over its counterparts in terms of the potential to maximize its return on the investment in technology. This is the first study of effects of IT steering committees on IT management sophistication in the hotel industry.

An integrated fuzzy approach for Information Technology Planning in Collaborative Product Development

Collaborative Product Development processes are generally based on technological infrastructures and various information technologies are proposed every day to facilitate collaboration, integration, co-design and co-development processes. In this highly uncertain environment, a systematic methodology is essential to plan the Information Technology infrastructure needed to start and maintain the collaborative process. This study offers an integrated Information Technology planning methodology combining Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment, Fuzzy Axiomatic Design and Fuzzy Rule Based Systems. The methodology is tested in a Collaborative Product Development case and the outcome presents an improvement path for Information Technologies for each of the collaborative parties.

A combination model using strategic alignment model and balanced scorecard and strategies' prioritisation based on TOPSIS technique

Globalisation with development of information technology (IT), information systems (IS), and network marketing has influenced on organisations’ performance. In planning and management of IT, there is alignment and levelling off of business IT strategies. In this regard, the strategic alignment model is recognised as the major trend in making levelling off between business areas and the IT. Also, the balanced scorecard (BSC) and strategy map are considered as powerful tools for managing strategies and as supportive systems for decision making in field of strategic management, short-term purposes, and making balance among external stakeholders and internal factors. Thus, in the current paper, a combination of strategic performance and strategic management models is used. Then, the TOPSIS technique is applied to categorise priorities for sources’ optimisation. The results of the present research show that the proposed model could be used to assure that strategies of organisations will lead to mission, perspective and macroeconomic policies. Also, the combination of the two mentioned models make operational integrity in organisations and could be useful in focusing on value creative strategies with presenting patterns for PR prioritising strategies.

Information System/Information Technology Strategic Planning in Order Information Technology Development Strategy Using TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) Methodology in Achieving World Class University in Satya Wacana Christian University

Information systems and information technology (IS/IT) play an important role in supporting the organization to conduct its business processes. The research was conducted at the University of Satya Christian Wacana (SWCU). Business processes in perceived walking SWCU are not optimal in using IS/IT in the organization. The planning process/IT has not been done in all business units and SWCU does not have an Executive Information System that can help in the decision making process. The process of strategic planning of information systems and information technology using The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) has compiled a few methods of strategic planning. The results obtained by the study of the needs of IS/IT in SWCU generating application portfolio will be implemented in the institution.

Enabling the strategic planning of small and medium-sized information technology through advanced results: a configurational perspective of Mintzberg 5Ps

Individuals are pivotal to supporting knowledge and to contribute with new ideas that generate value for the firm. With this perspective, this paper compares the small and medium sized information technology enterprises (SMET) manager’s behaviour to the 5Ps strategy describe by Mintzberg (1992). This study highlights different ways of strategic thinking, and the importance of the mutual trust and commitment between managers and employees in order to encourage SMET competitiveness through their market changes and environmental uncertainties. The results show the plurality of values shared by the organisational SMET managers. This analysis can guide SMET managers to optimise their behaviour performance. Our analysis relies upon a survey of 13 Brazilian IT firms.

Review article: The evolving role of information technology in perioperative patient safety

The adoption of new technologies in medicine is frequently met with both enthusiasm and resistance. The universal adoption of health information technology (IT) and anesthesia information management systems (AIMS) remains low despite the potential benefits. Electronic medical records, and hence AIMS, are at the intersection of patient safety. This article highlights advantages and barriers to adoption and implementation of IT in general and AIMS in particular, with a focus on clinical decision support systems (CDSS) and computerized physician order entry (CPOE) as hallmarks that may lead to improvement in patient safety and quality in the perioperative setting. The advantages of health IT and AIMS include improved legibility of documentation; the ability to integrate new scientific evidence into practice; enhanced management and exchange of complex health information; the ability to standardize order sets, incorporate computerized physician order entry, and provide clinical decision support; and the ability to capture data for management, research, and quality monitoring and reporting. While not foolproof, AIMS have been shown to improve safety, quality, and patient outcomes. Barriers to the adoption of health IT and AIMS include costs, lack of truly interoperable AIMS components in health-system IT solutions, and lack of clinician involvement in implementation, planning, design, and installation of many IT or AIMS products. Health IT and AIMS are at the intersection of patient safety and technology. Anesthesiologists are perfectly positioned to be the physician leaders of adoption, design, implementation, and integration, not only for AIMS but also for health-system IT solutions in general.

A review of issues in information and communication technology (ICT) planning and implementation in academic libraries in Nigeria

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to take a look at some issues in information and communication technology (ICT) planning and implementation in academic libraries in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe paper highlights ICT planning and implementation, ICT policy guide for academic libraries and the training of personnel for ICT planning and implementation.FindingsThe paper concludes that planning can help the libraries to outline steps that must be taken to implement ICT, which will be binding on all stakeholders and accepted by all, in line with the mission, objective and goals of the library and the university towards provision of information for its community.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was restricted to academic libraries in Delta Central District in Delta State, Nigeria.Practical implicationsThe paper shows how to improve the delivery of library services through planning and implementation of ICT.Social implicationsThe paper increases awareness of the importance of ICT planning and implementation in academic libraries in developing countries.Originality/valueThe paper shows that planning may help the libraries to outline steps that must be taken to implement ICT, which will be binding on all stakeholders and accepted by all in line with the mission, objective and goals of the library and the university towards providing valued information for its populace.

Maximizing the positive influence of IT for improving organizational performance

In the analysis of whether information technology (IT) has an impact on organizational performance, focus is usually placed on the relationship between an organization’s investments in IT and that organization’s performance. Therefore, it is standard to devote special attention to the size and complexity of the organization, to the investments in other organizational resources that may affect the performance of IT, and to the manner in which the two variables are measured. However, one area that has not been well explored is the manner in which the relationship between investments in IT and organizational performance develops. In this article, we show empirically that the planning and management of IT influence the organization’s endowment of resources (physical and human), which consequently has positive effects on each of the IT-related areas usually found in organizations (applications, reliable and secure systems and communications, and training and support). In turn, the functioning of these areas influences the impact of IT on the organization, which then has positive effects on organizational performance. We have used data corresponding to IT management in Spanish universities, as well as independent rankings that are useful for evaluating their performance.

Comprehensive Model of Mobile Government in Iran

The mobile-Government (m-Government) is one of the most important concepts that have been in the top consideration for the last decades. The purpose of the m-Government is to provide a suitable and reliable infrastructure for citizens to access services easily. It also provides better opportunities to people to participate in social events and activities. By this means, providing tools for implementing the m-Government activities is of most significance. In Iran, m-Government initiative was launched as a part of the country's overall information technology plan (for instance: e- Government) focused on ICT as a tool to reform public organizations. In this paper, a review of literature of m- Government in recent years, together with survey and comparison of current models of m-government, has led to the proposal of native m-services in Iran. The population is all managers of Information technology sectors in 22 regions of Tehran municipalities. Analysis tools of data are SWOT and QSPM matrixes. The outcome results are in the form of a comprehensive model which emphasizes that the m-Government policy can be an effective approach to provide better services to citizens.

Customer oriented enterprise IT architecture framework

Due to the rapid expansion and complexity of mechanisms, technologies, systems, processes and communications in organizations, governance and management has become something beyond the control of hardware and software systems and include integration and convergence of all components of an organization. Enterprise architecture (EA) by breaking down the organization’s systems to its components and determining the relationship between them in different layers offers an appropriate solution for understanding and investigating relationships and processes of organizations which develop strategies and information technology plans. This paper proposes a conceptual model for enterprise IT architecture. For this purpose, conceptual and reference models of enterprise architecture are investigated and key concepts of them are described. By identifying dimensions of reviewed models, key dimensions of the proposed model are extracted and by using Shannon’s entropy, weight and priority of each dimension is determined. In order to determine building blocks of each dimension, a mapping has been established between customer and functional requirements by using axiomatic method and relations between customer and functional requirements has been validated by experts’ opinions using Quality Function Development (QFD) method. Proposed model has been described by determining goals, components and relations. Then the model is validated by surveying experts. Finally an Iranian telecommunication enterprise is selected for a case study and the model is tested there and promoting solutions are proposed to improve the status of the organization for implementing the model.

Media, information technology, and language planning: what can endangered language communities learn from created language communities?

The languages of Klingon and Na'vi, both created for media, are also languages that have garnered much media attention throughout the course of their existence. Speakers of these languages also utilize social media and information technologies, specifically websites, in order to learn the languages and then put them into practice. While teaching a course on ‘Pidgins, Creoles, and Created Languages’, I realized that endangered language communities could learn techniques for interacting with the media from created language communities in order to help further develop the image and prestige planning for their languages. Also, endangered language communities could model the online resources of created language communities part of their acquisition planning. This paper draws on my experiences working with endangered language communities in Canada and Papua New Guinea in order to compare the language planning of these communities to that of Klingon and Na'vi speakers. I also discuss how endangered language communities might benefit from their examples and, finally, what some of the drawbacks to these technological advances may be in terms of language revitalization and maintenance.

Lessons from the Canadian national health information technology plan for the United States: opinions of key Canadian experts

To summarize the Canadian health information technology (HIT) policy experience and impart lessons learned to the US as it determines its policy in this area. Qualitative analysis of interviews with identified key stakeholders followed by an electronic survey. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 key Canadian HIT policy and opinion leaders and used a grounded theory approach to analyze the results. The informant sample was chosen to provide views from different stakeholder groups including national representatives and regional representatives from three Canadian provinces. Canadian informants believed that much of the current US direction is positive, especially regarding incentives and meaningful use, but that there are key opportunities for the US to emphasize direct engagement with providers, define a clear business case for them, sponsor large scale evaluations to assess HIT impact in a broad array of settings, determine standards but also enable access to resources needed for mid-course corrections of standards when issues are identified, and, finally, leverage implementation of digital imaging systems. Not all stakeholder groups were included, such as providers or patients. In addition, as in all qualitative research, a selection bias could be present due to the relatively small sample size. Based on Canadian experience with HIT policy, stakeholders identified as lessons for the US the need to increase direct engagement with providers and the importance of defining the business case for HIT, which can be achieved through large scale evaluations, and of recognizing and leveraging successes as they emerge.

Perencanaan Strategi Sistem dan Teknologi Informasi pada PT. Tripuri Mitra Nobelindo

Competitions faced by companies are some obstacles in achieving the business objectives to maintain the company's growth and survival. The use of information technology trend requires companies to use it in order to compete with competitors. Strategic planning of information system (IS) and information technology (IT) which refer to business strategy should be customized to the company's business processes. The process of finding a future application portfolio is preceded by the discovery of business strategy, IS/IT strategy managemen and IT strategy. The method used is the strategic planning of information system and information technology of Ward and Peppard. The discovery of business strategy through internal and external analysis of the company is done using tools: PEST, SWOT, Porter's five competitive model, Value chain, and CSF. The analysis of the current information systems helps determine the proposed IS and IT plan. The result achieved is strategic system plan and information technology that are appropriate to the company in achieving its business goals.