The crisis of control: a progressive approach towards information systems integration for small companies
The crisis of control: a progressive approach towards information systems integration for small companies
When small companies grow, they face a range of strategic managerial challenges. Stage models for small company growth predict that a crisis of control can occur when existing information systems for communication and control are no longer able to cope with increased throughput, nor are they able to respond flexibly to opportunities and challenges in the business environment. In response, owner-managers (OMs) may seek technological enterprise-wide solutions, in a drive towards integrated information systems (IIS). This paper reports a case study in which the Viable Systems Model (VSM) was used during an integration project in a small manufacturing company. In this case, the solution was found in organisational learning, rather than technology. It is argued that such a phase may be an essential step to the adoption of ERP/MRP at a later date for small growing companies.
sme, stage models, viable systems model, erp
353-371
Warren, Lorraine
1ec8193d-f90f-48f6-9205-041dcf89121d
November 2003
Warren, Lorraine
1ec8193d-f90f-48f6-9205-041dcf89121d
Warren, Lorraine
(2003)
The crisis of control: a progressive approach towards information systems integration for small companies.
Information Systems and E-business Management, 1 (4), .
(doi:10.1007/s10257-003-0022-2).
Abstract
When small companies grow, they face a range of strategic managerial challenges. Stage models for small company growth predict that a crisis of control can occur when existing information systems for communication and control are no longer able to cope with increased throughput, nor are they able to respond flexibly to opportunities and challenges in the business environment. In response, owner-managers (OMs) may seek technological enterprise-wide solutions, in a drive towards integrated information systems (IIS). This paper reports a case study in which the Viable Systems Model (VSM) was used during an integration project in a small manufacturing company. In this case, the solution was found in organisational learning, rather than technology. It is argued that such a phase may be an essential step to the adoption of ERP/MRP at a later date for small growing companies.
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Published date: November 2003
Keywords:
sme, stage models, viable systems model, erp
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 36974
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/36974
ISSN: 1617-9846
PURE UUID: de5eac05-bc8f-43c3-90cb-2b286dd3bcf6
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Date deposited: 24 May 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 07:58
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Author:
Lorraine Warren
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