Information Technology Planning Research Articles

Strategic planning for information technology in South Africa: An exploratory study

Many studies have been performed recently in the United States and Europe examining the nature of, and approach to, strategic planning for Information Technology. Research into the influence of strategic planning on corporate performance has also increased significantly. By contrast, very few studies have been performed on the South African corporate environment both to confirm or deny alignment with overseas studies or to determine the strategic issues concerning senior management. This was the purpose of this exploratory study. The responses of senior management in 26 large organizations are analysed. The results indicate a need for extensive management education. After examining the South African situation the authors conclude with a number of assertions which could become the focus of subsequent studies.

Reshaping IS Strategic Planning

In most organizations, there is an increasing investment in strategic planning for information systems and technology. The context and motivation for this type of planning is different from that of the past and, as a result, the planning approach itself is being transformed. Applying this new approach to strategic planning produces high leverage for the enterprise and profoundly changes information systems management.

The role of information technology in the planning and development of Singapore

There is much to learn from development cases in the Pacific basin. This paper examines Singapore's information technology strategy. It is offered as documentation on hew one metropolis has been planning itself for, and into the information age. The method used in the paper is to draw cn documents, words and plans -from the Singapore government, to tell the story of this contemporary development case. These extracts are supplemented by reference to the relevant literature. The principal operational details of Singapore's information technology planning and implementation are offered so as to be suggestive of potential adaptation elsewhere. The role of the state is fundamental to Singapore's development. The People's Action Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister lee Kuan Yew, long has practiced activist intervention and flexible planning in pursuing the goal of attaining an high quality of life for Singaporeans. By these means, in just over twenty years, Singaporeans have been able to plan and implement themselves fran a preindustrial economy and society to one that is importantly industrial and to one that also is importantly "post industrial" or information driven. Having realized an economy, the predominant occupations of which are information related and white collar, the Singapore government in 1985 initiated a national information technology plan that is designed to position Singapore as the information technology center of excellence in the 1990s. Such a plan is possible because of the prior development of a base of widespread computer services, telecannunicaticns, and office systems. Each element of Singapore's information technology plan is analyzed in the paper. Policy makers, planners and researchers interested in understanding and ' drawing on other's prior information technology planning experience may' benefit fran the lessons derived frcm this Singapore policy analysis. Hew might these learnings in planning technology transfer and be tailored to other places ? This is the principal question for the readers of this paper.

The changing role of the Chief Information Officer

Two large sample surveys of chief information officers (CIOs) were sponsored by Arthur Andersen & Co. in the last three years to analyze the market served by its consulting practice. Beginning in April of 1986, and then again in February of 1988, samples of 120 companies representing both the service and industrial segments of the Fortune 500 were selected. CIOs from those organizations were interviewed on issues, trends, and problems in the deployment of information technology (IT) within their corporation. A clear profile of evolving CIO responsibilities and the roles that information and technology played in those organizations emerged from these surveys. Below we have summarized the results of each study, and outlined the concerns of the CIOs who were given the task of establishing IT plans. We then go on to offer some advice to general management for overcoming obstacles that we see as inherent in executing such plans.

Observations on strategic planning of information technology in the Indian coal mining industry

A view of the needs and plans to improve the coal mining industry of India is presented, focusing primarily on telecommunications and computerization. Further, details on mining electronics and vendor relationships with foreign firms are also discussed.

Putting Information Technology to Work

Information technology planning plays two crucial roles in successful businesses: It is a partner to business planning in establishing business vision and setting strategy, and it is the means for defining, designing, and establishing effective, efficient, and flexible information technology architecture.

Bringing Information Technology to Life

Information technology planning is quite possibly the most challenging task in business today; certainly it is one of the least understood.

Information Technology Planning in the 1990's: Directions for Practice and Research

Although planning is a crucial information management issue, it must be seen as only one facet of an organization's complete program for information technology management. Attention in this article is first directed toward understanding the larger management context within which planning activities are likely to transpire. The paper then describes a vew of planning appropriate for the 1990's and identifies contributions form the information technology (IT) planning literature likely to facilitate IT planning efforts.

The role of OSI in the Dutch information technology policy

Standardisation has traditionally been considered in the Netherlands as a subject which is primarely the responsibility of industry. However, the Government has always supported the existing infrastructure in this field (e.g. the Standardisation Institutes) in a limited way. This is related to the fact that standards are considered as a vehicle for the creation of an open market in Europe, which has always been one of the most important objectives of Dutch Commercial policy. In the field of I.T.-Standardisation Government gradually assumes a larger responsibility, not in the last place because Government needs the IT standards for the implementation of the automation plans of the Government itself. The Information Technology plan, that started in 1983, includes therefore an I.T. standards policy. This aims at the creation of a favourable environment where the drafting, implementation and certification of I.T. standards is facilitated, while each party involved remains in its own domain of responsibility. It puts a strong emphasis on international cooperation and supports the E.C. policy directed towards OSI standards and the linkage between Governmental procurement and Standardisation.

Library Automation in Australia

Technology is an integral part of library functions in Australia. The development of a national bibliographic network, of local and regional cooperation, integrated library systems, telecommunications, and online systems, as well as usage of microcomputers, ergonomics, copyright issues, and national information policy are all discussed. Additionally, the ambitious information technology plans of the Parliamentary Library of Australia are described.