article

Information systems for competitive advantage: implemenation of a planning process

Authors:

Charles Wiseman,

Walter A. UllrichAuthors Info & Claims

MIS Quarterly, Volume 9, Issue 4

Pages 285 - 294

https://doi.org/10.2307/249229

Published: 01 December 1985 Publication History

Abstract

As the pace of competition intensifies in the 80's, the use of information systems as competitive weapons is accelerating. Among the now classic cases are the computerized reservation system of American Airlines, the Cash Management Account of Merrill Lynch, and the order entry system of American Hospital Supply. These are examples of strategic information systems (SIS). The work that gave rise to this paper addresses the question, "How can an organization discover such SIS opportunities systematically?"

The authors developed and implemented a five-phase planning process to identify and evaluate SIS and to win top management support. Underlying their approach is a conceptual framework that views an enterprise's suppliers, customers, and competitors as the strategic targets of five strategic thrusts: differentiation, cost, innovation, growth, and alliance. Strategic thrusts represent the fundamental link between the firm's strategy and its use of information technology. Strategic information systems support and shape the organization's strategic thrusts.

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IBM Information Systems Planning Guide: Business Systems Planning, (4th Ed.), New York, New York, 1984

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Wiseman, C. Strategy and Computers: Information Systems as Competitive Weapons, Dow Jones-Irwin, Homewood, Illinois, 1985.

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Zani, W. "Blueprint for MIS," Harvard Business Review, Volume 48, Number 6, November-December 1970, pp. 95-100.

Cited By

Street CGallupe BBaker J(2018)The influence of entrepreneurial action on strategic alignment in new venturesThe Journal of Strategic Information Systems10.1016/j.jsis.2017.06.00227:1(59-81)Online publication date: 1-Mar-2018
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.jsis.2017.06.002
Dinter B(2013)Success factors for information logistics strategy - An empirical investigationDecision Support Systems10.1016/j.dss.2012.09.00154:3(1207-1218)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2013
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.dss.2012.09.001
Chang IHwang HLiaw HHung MChen SYen D(2008)A neural network evaluation model for ERP performance from SCM perspective to enhance enterprise competitive advantageExpert Systems with Applications: An International Journal10.1016/j.eswa.2007.08.10235:4(1809-1816)Online publication date: 1-Nov-2008
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.eswa.2007.08.102
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Index Terms

Information systems for competitive advantage: implemenation of a planning process
1. Applied computing
  1. Enterprise computing
    1. Business process management
  2. Operations research
    1. Decision analysis
2. Information systems
  1. Information systems applications
    1. Decision support systems

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cover image MIS Quarterly

MIS Quarterly Volume 9, Issue 4

December 1985

72 pages

ISSN:0276-7783

Issue’s Table of Contents

Publisher

Society for Information Management and The Management Information Systems Research Center

United States

Publication History

Published: 01 December 1985

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Cited By

Street CGallupe BBaker J(2018)The influence of entrepreneurial action on strategic alignment in new venturesThe Journal of Strategic Information Systems10.1016/j.jsis.2017.06.00227:1(59-81)Online publication date: 1-Mar-2018
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.jsis.2017.06.002
Dinter B(2013)Success factors for information logistics strategy - An empirical investigationDecision Support Systems10.1016/j.dss.2012.09.00154:3(1207-1218)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2013
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.dss.2012.09.001
Chang IHwang HLiaw HHung MChen SYen D(2008)A neural network evaluation model for ERP performance from SCM perspective to enhance enterprise competitive advantageExpert Systems with Applications: An International Journal10.1016/j.eswa.2007.08.10235:4(1809-1816)Online publication date: 1-Nov-2008
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.eswa.2007.08.102
Silva LHirschheim R(2007)Fighting against windmillsMIS Quarterly10.5555/2017345.201735231:2(327-354)Online publication date: 1-Jun-2007
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2017345.2017352
Porra JHirschheim RParks M(2005)The history of texaco's corporate information technology functionMIS Quarterly10.5555/2017274.201728229:4(721-746)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2005
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2017274.2017282
del Águila ABruque SPadilla A(2003)Lines of advance in global information technology managementAdvanced topics in global information management10.5555/960182.960189(87-111)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2003
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/960182.960189
White JSteinbach TKnight LBurns A(2003)A framework for extending potency and reducing competitive risk in the IT strategic systems portfolioBusiness strategies for information technology management10.5555/954072.954080(96-114)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2003
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/954072.954080
Spanos YPrastacos GPoulymenakou A(2002)The relationship between information and communication technologies adoption and managementInformation and Management10.1016/S0378-7206(01)00141-039:8(659-675)Online publication date: 1-Sep-2002
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/S0378-7206%2801%2900141-0
Teo TToo B(2000)Information systems orientation and business use of the internetInternational Journal of Electronic Commerce10.1080/10864415.2000.115183814:4(105-130)Online publication date: 1-Jun-2000
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1080/10864415.2000.11518381
Raghunathan MMadey G(1999)A firm-level framework for planning electronic commerce information systems infrastructureInternational Journal of Electronic Commerce10.1080/10864415.1999.115183604:1(121-145)Online publication date: 1-Sep-1999
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1080/10864415.1999.11518360
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