Abstract 3
Introduction 3
Review of Literature 3
Research Methodology 6
Rationale 6
Objectives 7
Research Question 7
Theories: Resource Based Theory 7
Research Design 7
Procedure 7
Data Collection 8
Data Analysis 8
Reliability 8
Ethical Issues 9
Discussion 9
Conclusion 9
References 10
Abstract
Information technology is a tool that has been used by many firms across the nation to bring success in their business premises. However, some organizations still operate in isolation from IT even in the modern era of advanced IT. This study aims to examine why some companies still isolate their operations from IT. Irregardless of the various advancements that have come through in various companies and firms due to incorporation of innovation and technology in their operations, some organizations still choose to seclude information technology in either some of their departments or in their entire operations. Some studies have found out that various factors such as the complications of information technology and ever changing and emerging trends in terms of requirement and specification, technological and personal incompetence, lack of technical support, and the expensive nature of maintaining information technology are some factors that make some businesses not to use IT.
Key terms: Information Technology, Innovation, technological
Why Some Business Areas Choose to Work in Isolation from It
Introduction
Information technology is a tool that many business organizations use in their daily business operations. Leaders in such firms seem to understand the role that IT plays in promoting competitive advantage. In such firms, the leaders have integrated IT sections and specialists who ensure that the IT structure runs round the clock to support business objectives and other functions in the firm. Despite the tremendous IT success in many organizations, it is not surprising that some companies have stayed away from using information technology in their daily business operations. Studies have shown that there are many businesses that have not adopted the use of technology in their sectors for various reasons. Therefore, this is a research proposal to evaluate the reasons why some business organizations work in isolation with IT.
Review of Literature
Many business organizations have decided to incorporate the use of information technology in their operations since the advent of IT. However, research studies have revealed that some firms have isolated themselves from the use of information technology in their daily operations. A research study states that most people or business leaders fail to incorporate IT in their daily operations because of its numerous failures (Powell & Dent-Micallef, 1997). In as much technology has lead to increased competition production and efficiency in many companies. Some organizations have shied away from using this technique because of its many shortcomings. Research shows that information technology has many shortcomings such as failure in performing the duties for which it was designed. For example, some companies aim to include IT in their operations with the aim of effective storage of information. However, due to poor design, they end up losing most if not all their information stored on their server
Another reason way some business organizations have decide not t use IT in their daily operation refers to design issues. Every business is unique and had varied requirements. It means therefore, that such firms will also require a different design of information technology systems that can support their daily operations as well as they business needs. However, sometimes the IT leaders fail to adopt the right design for their daily operations. When this happens, it follows that the type of the IT system working in such an organization becomes unfit to support their operations hence it fails. Therefore, in this case the IT design system will have failed to perform the function for which it was designed.
On the same note, the ability of IT in business comes with the demand of having to maintain its effective operations. Ability to maintain effective use of IT in an organization boosts its chances of performing well hence causing unseen failures. In this case, the business leaders are tasked with the duty of ensuring that they employ It expert who are effective in maintaining the It systems of the firm. In so doing, they will be able to optimize its functions. However, most of the times the business leaders fail to employ the most effective IT specialists who are able to maintain the IT systems effectively. In the end, they suffer the consequences of poorly maintained system. It is important to note that the benefits of IT originate from the ability to maintain it. However, some firms find such activity expensive, hence they do away with the need for IT.
Another reason why some companies have not used It in their operations is that most leaders have found out that IT itself have not produced sustainable performance advantages in the retail industry. Most the organizational leaders installed or incorporated the use of information technologies in their working but they did not come up with the required performance advantages that they hoped for. For example, some manufacturing firms involve the use of IT in their daily operations with the aim of ensuring that these machines should help them achieve efficiency. However, based on the many drawbacks of IT such as machine failures, they failed to accomplish their mission of improving efficiency hence failing in the end. Therefore, some businesses still find it effective and efficient to use old methods in creating their needed advantages.
Similarly, technological incompetence coupled with the incompetence of the leaders and employees in the organization is another factor that contributes to some firms ignoring IT in their operations. For example, if the leaders realize that most of their teams or workers only have basic IT skills, but goes ahead to use such people to their IT specialists then the information technology in such a firm is bound to fail. On the other hand, the employee and the leads in the organization might not have the required skills to implement and monitor the use of IT in their premises. At this point, it is important to note that some organizations take the implementation process of IT lightly and fail to use the right human resources in the management and installations of IT. Using incompetent people will lead to the purchasing of incompetent IT tools, which will obviously fail while being used in any organizational setting. In many cases, incompetent IT refers to faulty, out- dated, and spoilt equipment that do not possess the capacity to function at their maximum potential when doing work in the firm.
Sometimes some organizations will fail to meet the complete requirement of the IT installation process. Fr example, they might not only buy the wrong tools but might fail to meet the required specification for the IT in the firm. When these failures occur, IT also bound to fail hence the leaders in the firm will possess the view that their IT systems are not working and abandon them by adopting the old ways of doing business again. It is common knowledge that businesses vary in size, functionality, number of employees, and the range of clients they deal with. Therefore, the firm will always require different IT setting in their organizations (Reich & Benbasat, 2000). These comes come specifications and requirements that meets the technological needs of the firm effectively. If the leaders fail to meet these requirements and specification during the installation and the implementation, process of IT then their IT system will definitely fail to work hence spreading the same IT failure in the entire organization.
Research Methodology
The study will be a quantitative research method that will enable the researcher to collect numerical data for the study. A quantitative study design entails the utilization of numerical values and figures in attempts to arrive at various findings and deductions. The study will therefore make use of quantitative research method to provide a guide on the exact topic to cover. The topic will serve as the blueprint within which the study is based upon. The quantitative study technique does not necessitate a complex planning and blueprint for it to be adopted. Consequently, it is straightforward to adopt, while in the same breath acquire data and relevant materials in both an efficient and highly effective course of action.
Rationale
The rationale for the study is that some organizations have decided not to use IT in their operations in all sectors despite the increasing changes in IT. Some of these firms find IT less beneficial in maintaining competitive advantage, improving organizational culture and performance as well as lacking in the need to help the leaders and employees to accomplish the goals and objectives of the organization. Therefore, the study will aim to examine the truth that relies on these assumptions.
Objectives
Understand factors of the gap between business and ITWhy some business areas choose to work in isolation from ITStudy the criteria around some successful IT projects and compare to failed ones.
Research Question
The main research question for the study is; have some firms isolated themselves from the use information technology in their daily operations, and why?
Theories: Resource Based Theory
The researcher will use resource-based theory in conducting the study. The theory will help the researcher to come up with effective methods of examining the success or failure of IT in different organizations of different sizes (Caldeira & Ward, 2003).
Research Design
The study intends to apply the correlation research blueprint during the research. This type of research plan is essential in this activity as it will facilitate effective and reliable data collection and empower the researcher in investigating the correlation between organizational performance and IT. On the same note, the researcher is in a position to avail the statistical correlation between the IT and organizational performance and reveal the play part and relate in a real- time work environment
Procedure
Various participants are intended to be used to gather the needed information regarding this research. As such, data will be collected from members of the private sector and general members of the public who forms the working and management population. The initial stage will be to make contact with the ear- marked individuals to confirm their availability. Thereafter, a plan will be put in place that would ensure smooth operation when it comes to the collection of the required information. This planning is vital to avoid time wastage
Data Collection
The study will use interviews and questionnaires as the data collection methods. Prior to the actual study, the researcher will conduct a visit to the participating organizations. The visits will be scheduled for three working days. During the visit, the researcher will be required to obtain past data related to previous use of IT in the organization, reasons, for leaving, find out whether IT is absent in all or some sectors, and evaluate whether the leaders aims to reintroduce IT in their firms again. This will help in establishing the reason for isolating with IT in various or all sectors of each company.
Data Analysis
The researcher will rely on graphical representation o data such as tables, graphs, and pie charts to come up with a visual data for analysis. The researcher will then examine and interpret the graph to find out the number of firm that do not use IT as well as their corresponding reasons for isolating from the use of IT.
Reliability
Refers to the extent to which a study is perceived or proved to be trustworthy. The validity and reliability of a research is affected by numerous factors, during the period of study. Nonetheless, the persons taking part in the research must strive to mitigate and negate any possible factors that may negatively affect the reliability of the same. The research design is aimed at enhancing transferability, credibility, conformity and dependability of the findings using qualitative means.
Ethical Issues
It is evident that the research design will ensure that the participants and the researcher are in contact. Therefore, the researcher is requested to display a high level of ethical behavior in his or her engagements with the various participants who will come from all walks of life, in terms of race, religion, gender, amongst other attributes. The researchers will have to appreciate the values, opinions and cultures of the various respondents. The researcher must be aware that the replies could be varied from his or her opinions and beliefs, therefore, he or she has to appreciate and respect the differences that may be displayed. He or she has to strive to maintain his neutrality at all times. As such, the issues to do with the privacy of the correspondents, amongst other aspects must be upheld at all the time. The researcher has to be aware of all the related ethical issues that may affect hi or her work and strive to uphold high level of ethical awareness.
Discussion
The researcher will discuss the findings and the results of the study elaborately in this section of the paper. This will cover all the elements of the study.
Conclusion
Studies have shown that some organizations still avoid the use of IT in different areas of their operations. Some of the possible reasons given by the leaders include lack of reliability, competent IT leaders, technological incompetence, lack of technical support, lack of user input incomplete and changing requirements and specifications, and the expensive nature of maintaining IT in any organization.
References
Caldeira, M., & Ward, J. (2003). Using resource-based theory to interpret the successful adoption and use of information systems and technology in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises. European Journal of Information Systems. Volume 12, Issue 2 , 127–141.
Powell, T., & Dent-Micallef, A. (1997). Information Technology as Competitive Advantage: The Role of Human, Business, and Technology Resources. Strategic Management Journal.Vol. 18, No. 5 , 375-405.
Reich, B., & Benbasat, I. (2000). Factors That Influence the Social Dimension of Alignment between Business and Information Technology Objectives. Management Information Systems Research Center. Vol. 24, No. 1 , 81-113.
