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Global Business Drivers

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Global business drivers: Aligning information technology to global business strategy by B. Ives S. L. Jarvenpaa R. O. Mason

The alignment of worldwide computer-based information systems and integrated business strategies is critical to the success of multinational firms in a highly competitive global market. In this paper, information technology (lIT) solutions are explored that drive firms toward making economic decisions based on worldwide distributed knowledge. These solutions focus on a number of entities (or global business drivers) that identify where a firm can benefit most from the management and application of the technology. A variety of approaches for overcoming the barriers and risks of applying this technology are also discussed.

n the forefront of the transition of a firm to a globally coordinated and managed organization is information technology. Information technology can drive the change, be harnessed to it, or rise up as a severe impediment. The chief executive of a major corporation has suggested that "globalization is no longer an objective but an imperative, as markets and geographical barriers become increasingly blurred and even irrelevant." 1 This paper explores how the application of information technology to the transition process can result in successful firms in a global market. Information technology (1fT) can drive a firm toward globalization in a number of ways. Using computer and communications technologies,
IBM SYSTEMS JOURNAL, VOL 32, NO 1, 1993

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firms can extract the information components from tangible products, or substitute knowledge for material, and then instantly transport the electronically represented information or knowledge throughout the world. Value can be added or an information-based product can be used at the most economically advantageous location. The time delays, high costs, and lack of customer

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