A Study on the ‘Flexibility’ of Information Systems (Part 1): Why Do They Need to Be Flexible?

Abstract

Despite the great strides that MIS have made in their coverage, their development and technological renovation have often failed to be in satisfactory sync with the ever-changing business needs. Our view is that this failure is attributable to the fact that these computer-based systems have not equipped themselves with the adequate flexibility needed to respond promptly to business environmental changes.This study proposes a methodology for planning the implementation of flexible information system (IS) aimed at helping business organizations respond quickly to the environmental changes. First, we consider the meanings of business agility. Next, we elucidate the nature of the difficulties afflicting IS management through an analysis of the technology-organization relationship. We then define IS flexibility and its enhancement approach as a solution, and propose our concept of 'penalty of change,' which should be practical for defining and evaluating IS flexibility in terms of cost and time.

A Study on the “Flexibility” of Information Systems (Part 2): How can We Make Them Flexible?

“…We refer to a change demand as k (1kl) [e.g., serve new area, change business process, etc. ], a system alternative for k as j (1jm(k)) [e.g., 2 ( Given the aforementioned notation, we might represent POC M (p), the penalty for a combination of system alternatives (p), with the following equation in terms of POC M (kp) (the penalty for a system alternative) and Pr M (kp) (the subjective probability of its adaptability) [Furukawa & Minami, 2013]:…”

A Study on the “Flexibility” of Information Systems (Part 3): MIS Flexibility Planning Scheme for IT/Business Strategy Alignment

“…To maintain the business strategy and achieve more benefit from the corporate MIS, the ability to be flexible and respond promptly to changes is indispensable (Segars& Grover, 1999;Tallon et al, 2000;Furukawa & Minami, 2013). However, the MIS can provide a competitive advantage only if changes to it can be completed in a short time, so that it promotes the business strategy (Bharadwaj, 2000;Furukawa & Minami, 2013).…”

“…To achieve this level of alignment, the MIS must be able to change in a short time. Three types of quickness are therefore indispensable: (a) quick recognition of changes; (b) quick decision-making to deal with these changes; and (c) quick implementation of the chosen countermeasures, which depends on the prompt adjustment of the MIS itself to these countermeasures (Furukawa & Minami, 2013).…”

“…Generally, the objectives of SIS planning are as follows: (1) (Brown, 2004). Previous studies have concluded that the success of MISs is the result of their abilities to recognize and respond quickly to changes and the capabilities for aligning the corporate MIS with business strategy (Earl, 1993;Segars & Grover, 1999;Furukawa & Minami, 2013).…”

“…Therefore, it is recommended that for the MIS division to break this inappropriate cycle, it must learn how to predict change demands and enhance MIS flexibility so as to manage those demands by redesigning the IT infrastructural with minimal POC. This approach calls for the adaptability of innovative technologies, such as the exchange of IT infrastructural components (Furukawa & Minami, 2013).…”