Design and Management of Networked Information Systems

In this paper, we present a newly started research project at the Center for Tele-Information at the Technical University of Denmark. The project focuses on the design and management of networked information systems, that is computer-based IS linked by a wide area network and supporting communication between geographically dispersed organizational units.

Examples include logistics systems, airline booking systems, and CSCW systems. We assume that the design and implementation of networked IS is significantly more difficult and risky than the development of traditional "stand-alone" computer-based IS. There are several reasons for this: (a) Networked IS are large and complex systems; (b) in most cases, one has to deal with a number of existing - probably heterogenous - technical hardware and software platforms and link them together in a network; (c) differences in organizational culture, work practices and work organization in different locations may make it very difficult to reach a common understanding of the purpose, design and use of the system; and (d) conflicts of interest and opportunistic behavior may impede or even confound the development of the system.

We focus on the following four research questions:1. What is the essence of the new managerial theories and models and how do they define the role of telecommunications and IT in organizations?2. How are these organizational theories and models implemented in practice?3. How is the design and implementation of information systems and networks actually organized and carried out?4.

What are the consequences for work content, skills, working conditions, etc.? The research project consists of a theoretical analysis of contemporary management theories as well as a number of in-depth case studies of firms engaged in the design and implementation of networked information systems.