Journal of Systems and Information Technology

Paper, David J.; Nicol, David

1998 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/13287269880001058

This paper provides a longitudinal view of one organizations experiences with IT implementation and Business Process Reengineering since 1990. The organization is EuroProducts a manufacturer of air freshener and related products located in thecountry, in the West of England, EuroProducts has identified data integration and data standardization as critical to leverage increased performance from its materials requirements process flow. As a result, a new MRP system is being introduced to integrate data input from factory floor workers, management, staff, and IS professionals. The goal is to use the new MRP system as a rallying point to facilitate redesign of material requirements work flows. Aspects of innovation and systems theory are introduced to help the authors organize and identify root causes of the problems EuroProducts has had with its IT implementation and reengineering efforts.

Cavaye, Angele L. M.

1998 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/13287269880000737

The use of a multidisciplinary research team can often enhance the investigation of IS phenomena particularly when the construct under study is multidimensional. This paper explores the challenges and benefits of carrying out IS research with a multidisciplinary team. By way of illustration a study is described which purposefully pulled together researchers from different but related disciplines to carry out an IS research project. The challenges confronting the team included miscommunication, initial disagreement concerning research constructs, and the amount of time required for meetings. The benefits far outweighed the difficulties. Benefits accrued to the study itself and to the research participants. The study was more holistic and included better construct definition. The participating researchers benefited from critically examining their own views and outlooks whilst being exposed to viewpoints from other disciplines.