Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 17
Integrating Process
and Data Models
in a Horizontal
Organization
David C. Wallace
I
NFORMATION
SYSTEMS
ARE
CREATED
TO
HELP
ACHIEVE
THE
GOALS
AND
OBJECTIVES
by integrating them with information
technology. Information technology is an extensive concept in which all the
new technologies from fax machines to multimedia devices to new comput-
er hardware and software are grouped. To be an effective part of an organi-
zation, individuals must understand and use information technology
within the organization.
OF
THE
ORGANIZATION
Therefore, an organization that wishes to be successful must first devel-
op a strategic plan, which involves a systematic way of integrating informa-
tion systems and information technology. Currently, the IS field is focusing
on developing both new methodologies and criteria for the evaluation and
selection of appropriate methodologies. This is often completed without
regard to new trends within the business and organization fields. When
that happens, the new methodologies may not meet the needs of the busi-
ness community and might produce systems that are flawed.
IS methodologies have largely ignored the recent trends within the busi-
ness management area — the gap between research and practice. One of
these major trends focuses on aligning organizational resources around es-
sential processes, or
. This trend has been identified by
F. Ostroff and D. Smith of McKinsey & Company as the horizontal corpora-
tion. M.A. Burns, Chairman of Ryder System Inc., states that the horizontal
corporation concept is the wave of the future. From such large profit-
centered organizations as General Electric, AT&T, Ryder, and Xerox to such
small nonprofit organizations as the Police Department at Illinois State
core processes
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