Free Essay

Importance of It Culture in Business

In:

Submitted By thugh24
Words 845
Pages 4
Importance Of IT Culture In Business

Management Information Systems

Everest University

August 4, 2012

No business in today’s age of the World Wide Web can survive without some form of IT culture built-in. Just about all transactions, accounting, and even scheduling is computerized making the business more efficient in this modern information age. IT is all around and is never going away as our culture, economy, and businesses depend on it extensively. Technology advancements are popping up daily and it is the job of the IT culture to apply them to needs of the business and aide the business with adjustments to changes.

The phrase IT Culture in my view is not only an expert in the ways of computer technology but people who understand how to use the tools that IT provides the business to make it more efficient and less costly to run that business. An accountant running accounting software such as QuickBooks is in the IT culture because he or she is trained in running that specialized software. Converting that data to usable forms for all levels of an organization is done with software programs designed for different purposes based on the needs of the organization.

What makes the IT Culture essential? The first reason is the knowledge to deal with the quick changes that come with the overflow of information that each person and business are bombarded with daily and even in shorter periods with instant updates and JIT systems. Second reason is the need to design, install, and maintain the software used by the organization. A single person cannot process all this information at the speed necessary for it to have any use by the business so computers are necessary.

The IT Culture has brought advancements in technology to the business world making international business easier than it has ever been. Sharing information used to take days to ship reports from branches of an organization from one country to another happens in just seconds over the Internet. This is accomplished by the use of databases are linked and shared from one site to another site anywhere in the world. This use of newer IT technology has decreased business costs as it refers to traveling abroad to share information and compare data. Now it is done at the click of a button on a computer. The IT Culture has to adjust to these technology changes by adapting the approach to their business use. Most recent change is cloud computing and this changes the design approach for creating systems and software.

Imagine the days before IT was used in business. Large corporations had to maintain their sales, marketing, and all other parts of the business manually and this caused inconsistencies due to lack of real time updates between personnel. So many systems have been developed by IT Culture to remedy this such as ERP systems which replaces “‘islands of information processes into a single packaged software solution” (Haag, Cummings, 2010, p. 10). Now all offices across the globe share information in real time making decision making more efficient as managers have real time accurate information.

Above all IT Culture adds value to the business. As we use IT religiously and without even thought in today’s world we add value to that technology and value to the business. Services offered by the IT Culture include the programs mentioned already as well as email, database access, Internet applications, and a multitude of in-house applications like instant messaging used in IBM software. Users “are switching between these services constantly throughout the day, probably consuming as many as 10-20 services at a time” (Charles Araujo, 2011).

The final statement in the last paragraph proves that IT Culture brings information and people together. Information is power in this information age and a business with the most up-to-date information has the competitive edge. This is especially important in JIT systems and CRM systems where information errors can be costly to any business in any market. As these systems are overly dependent on real-time data IT is a major resource I would put second to people on the list of resources a business has.

These reasons alone make IT Culture important to business as it eases the business process by creating the technology used to streamline business processes. Without the IT culture these advancements would not exist, no one would know how to train users on how to use them, and most importantly not maintain current hardware and software which always requires maintenance at some point in time. As IT Culture adds value to a business it is still not as important of a resource as people are but together they make a valuable and important resource to any business.

Reference

Haag, S., Cummings, M. (2010) Management information Systems: For the Information Age Ninth Edition McGraw-Hill Publishing

Itbusinessedge.com (2011) Charles Araujo: Creating Business Value Through Your IT Culture. Retrieved August 4, 2012 from http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/community/features/guestopinions/blog/creating-business-value-through-your-it-culture/?cs=47217

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Importance of Understanding Culture in International Business

...The Importance of Understanding Culture in International Business | Business Management in an International Context | | The increasing number of interactions between independent countries, companies and people has highlighted the importance of an understanding of global cultures, both national and organisational. Culture plays a large role in the way individuals behave and interact with one another and therefore plays an important role in business interactions across cultures. Many definitions of culture are offered, but one more relevant to culture in international business is : “Culture is the way in which a group of people solves problems and reconciles dilemmas.” (E.Schein 1985) The first way in which countries can be broadly categorized is into either a high context or a low context culture. High context cultures place more emphasis on the importance of group identity. They have a high sensory involvement and participate more readily in bodily contact. Low context cultures prioritise individualistic properties. They use body language less frequently and are monochronic thus placing a high importance on timing and scheduling. Most Northern European countries and other western societies are low context cultures. It has been suggested by the acclaimed social scientist, Norbert Elias (1978) that the development of society and the basis of its’ cultural contexts are closely associated with the prominent historical groups of the region leading to an establishment...

Words: 1912 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Mulinatioal Buisiness

...multinational and the division in the country you have chosen, addressing the following areas: Describe the importance of understanding culture in global business dealings Apply knowledge to determine the best strategies of expansion in global firms Examine different strategies that can be employed when dealing with human resource management (HRM) in a foreign division Discuss relationships between various multinational strategies and types of organizational structure This section should be 2–3 pages of additional work, not including the previous sections. Describe the importance of understanding culture in global business dealings Culture influences how people interact with each other in the business world. Culture guides decision making behavior, thinking patterns and values. (Brunot) To be successful in global expansion, the need for effective cross –cultural communication has become essential. Knowing a foreign culture is a long-term process of incorporation, comprehension and integration. (IDESLI) Before expanding globally it is important to take the time to know the culture of the country you are expanding in, this shows a sign of respect that will be valued. A businesses that successfully respond to the culture and lifestyle in their new global expansion area has a better chance of developing a successful business. It is important to know how business is done in the country you are expanding in and what one should never do. (IDELSI) Language should...

Words: 388 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Business

...Be Attuned to Business Etiquette [pic] Prepared by: [pic] Jeshua Johnson Bri Johnson Case # March 21, 2002 Dr. Castro’s International Business Class Executive Summary: Many overlook the importance of knowing business etiquette, especially when dealing with business partners from foreign countries and/or other cultures. Oftentimes, business partners in foreign firms have different cultural practices and customs. Being aware of these various customs and practices is crucial to being successful in an international business environment. The importance of these customs to their cultures can vary into such extremes as describing proper manners in situations to outlining how to live a proper life according to the religious practices of the country. These customs can dictate basic protocol for certain situations, guidelines for proper nonverbal communication, ways to show gratitude correctly, and the words you choose to use. There are six considerations to keep in mind when dealing with business etiquette across cultural boundaries: 1. Be prepared, 2. Slow down, 3. Establish trust, 4. Understand the importance of language, 5. Respect the culture, and 6. Understand the components of culture. These components include aesthetics, attitudes and beliefs, religion, material culture, education, language, societal organization, legal characteristics, and political structures. Understanding these basic considerations and components can improve...

Words: 838 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Influence of Culture on Business: a Comparative Analysis of China and Nigeria

...MIB Subject: INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE CULTURE Title: THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CHINA AND NIGERIA Name: Afouda Dotun Ehizojie Student’s ID number: 31540020 Date: 2015-11-27 Grade: Teacher’s signature: Abstract According to Zimmerman (2015), culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. It was also described by Murphy (1986) as that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs, and many other capabilities and habits acquired by members of society, which gives them their sense of identity. From this we understand that the influence of culture on individuals cuts across every aspect of their lives including business practices. This paper seeks to analyse the influence of culture on the business practices of these two different countries; China and Nigeria, and also comparatively analyse the influence of the traditional culture of these two countries in other to better understand their business practices to foster smooth business relations. Keywords: Culture, Business practices, China, Nigeria, Society. INTRODUCTION Culture which is widely referred to as the total...

Words: 2838 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Assessments

...uk/ Culture for business: http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/profit/opinion/050312-dhummel-1614961.html Organizational culture: http://blog.kevineikenberry.com/leadership/what-is-organizational-culture-anyway-2/ REASERCHER 1: Rita Kalaydjian * Importance of Culture for Business: Culture in general is set of principles that group of people follow and believes in, and in some cultures these people are against to change any of their beliefs. According to (Eikenberry, 2005) who mentioned in his article that organizational culture is how do we do things around here? What are the policies and procedures for this organization? And find answers to these questions by finding a person that can help you understand all these important things. As well as he said that understanding the culture of a company helps employees work better and achieve goals quickly and reduces time. As for the importance of culture to any business, each culture has a unique theme where it has an important impact on how this culture does its business. Good example of culture importance for businesses is Walt Disney, which is the largest American media and entertaining corporation, when it was launched in France it faced many problems due to language and different cultural issues. Here we can see that a business differs from culture to culture. You will face many more cultural and religious tribulations if you decide to open Disney in any Arabic country, for example Kuwait, Dubai… * Importance of Culture...

Words: 371 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Hello Kitty

...Culture is Key DeAndre L. Davis DeVry University SOCS-350N: Cultural Diversity in Professions Summer A/ 2015 Culture is Key America is a country that houses businesses that trade and share with countries and cultures around the world, we are consider international power houses. We see these businesses on the outside, but what’s going on in the inside? In this essay I want to bring your attention to people of the business that isn’t mention in headlines, doing trade deals and such. These employees are ran by the mangers and the professionals of the business, with so many cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and gender differences how can mangers be sensitive to everyone, is it even important? My purpose for writing this essay to inform you of the importance of mangers and business professionals to know culture, ethnic backgrounds, and gender differences in the workplace. Importance of Culture, Ethic, and Gender Differences in Business Setting Businesses thrive on people, without people there is no way of running a business that caters to people (its only population of consumers). Let us first begin with the importance of culture in the business setting. Culture is of great importance in the business setting, when business professional understand culture it aides in the reduction of prejudice in the business setting (Bell,2012). Being aware of individual cultures provides business professionals the awareness needed to act accordingly to situations that they may find taboo...

Words: 985 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Business Preparation for Communication Diversity

...Business Preparation for Communication Diversity XXXXXXXXXXXXXX CMC 260 February 10, 2013 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Business Preparation for Communication Diversity When it comes to conducting business with other countries and cultures it is important to research and gain knowledge and information that will allow you to understand the changes you may have to make in order to assure that it is one that is not only successful but positive as well. No matter which country our culture it may be it is important to understand several different areas and make sure to ask yourself the correct questions. Those areas are to understand universal systems, cultural values, language and thought, social etiquette, business customs, negotiation strategies, and culture shock. Please feel free to use this as a guideline when beginning your research to help get a quick and easy start, ensuring that the business outcome will be successful. Universal Systems: It is important to understand how each culture works when it comes to economic, political, and educational, marriage and family, and social hierarchies and interaction systems. Each country will differ from the other so it is very important to make sure you have a full understanding of the importance and the way these things are seen in the country you will be conducting business in. Here are a few questions you think about while doing your research.  What type of economic system do they fall under?  What is the determining...

Words: 1448 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

The Role of Cultures in Global Management

...The Role of Cultures in Global Management   Abstract What is culture and how other people deal with culture on a daily basis. Countries around the world work daily with different cultures in a business setting. There are many different ways that culture practices get done throughout the world. Middle East does things different than what the United States does. Global management and cultures bring many issues with it. Managers and staff need to find new ways to handle values, beliefs and social norms when working a business around the world. Most businesses have an assortment of different cultures and backgrounds because there are different people working within the group. This “Group of people" has the same religion, language, beliefs, and values share a culture no matter what. This, in turn, joined with all different types of people in the same cultural system. An examination made of the art of administering groups who are from different cultures, taking into account their different set of values, carry out, and ways of achieving different goals. A review presented of some of the problems that inherent in from one country to another because manager reject or is helpless of internalizing the local culture in which the displacement operates. Culture provides two functions that affect global management today. With the growth in global activities of both domestic and multinational companies, managers need a good perceptive of culture. People’s cultural...

Words: 2263 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Operation Management

...The knowledge of cultural intelligence in employees is very important for decision-making, implementing organisational strategies and for smooth functioning of daily business processes. According to Triandis (2006), the definition of intelligence is culturally orientated. Earley and Mosakaoski (2004) defined cultural intelligence as, “ an outsider’s seemingly natural ability to interpret someone’s unfamiliar and ambiguous gestures the way that person’s compatriots would”. There are various definitions of cultural intelligence with moreover the same meaning touching different aspects of business processes. Cultural intelligence in general is the course of motivated actions in an adaptive environment. It refers to making adjustments with people of different cultures to carry out business operations around the world. Cultural intelligence is of great significance in today’s employees as it is the basic necessity in deals around the globe. Many enterprises especially the family-owned ones still believe in the traditional form of business, whereby they hire employees whom they can easily trust and rely on. But in such cases it becomes difficult for the company to exploit the foreign markets as these employees may not have the necessary knowledge of cultural differences. Hence Cultural intelligence is of great importance in today’s world. For example, Lloyds TSB believes in hiring culturally intelligent people to enhance its customer relationships across the globe. Culturally intelligent...

Words: 1536 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Business Culture and Society

...BUSINESS SOCIETY & CULTURE Businesses interact with wider society they are part of. Businesses are affected by society, for example in the kind of goods and services they expected to produce and businesses affect society by their activities. It is a two-way process. Some of the ways in which business affect societies are negative, and usually governments limit these activities by law. For example, some business activities damage the environment. In addition, there are ethical constraints set by the wider expectations of society. For example, it is legal to sack workers for some actions, but society may think the sacking is unreasonable, and the business may feel pressured to not do it. CULTURE is comprised of many different elements that have been passed down for generations, including knowledge, belief systems, experiences, values, attitudes, religion, art, ideas, law, morals, customs and way of perceiving the world. Some aspects of culture are visible, such as the way people dress or the food that they eat, while other elements of culture are invisible, such as the importance of religion, belief surrounding the role of family in a society, or the way people think and feel about certain issues. While the visible aspects of culture are often easy to spot, it usually takes much more time and efforts to understand and appreciate the importance of the invisible. However, it is usually the invisible elements of the culture that have the most impact on the way people view the...

Words: 621 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Communications

...This article is about the importance of ethical business cultures within an organization. The leaders within the organization are responsible for setting the culture within the workplace. The article advises that there are five characteristics that are attributed to ethical business culture. Those characteristics are: mission and value-driven, stakeholder balance, leadership effectiveness, integrity, and long term perspective (Ardichvili, Mitchell & Jondle, 2009). The article studies the relationship between organizational cultures to business ethics and discusses how leadership is an important element of an organizations culture. The norm of behavior should be consistent and align with ethical standards, mission and the decision making process of the organization. The article also discusses the importance of how communication influences culture. Communication is used in decision making process, implementing policies, leadership and problem solving. I chose this article because I believe that core values of an organization, such as ethics and culture are important elements for the success of a business. The leaders within an organization, as well as the employees must be effective communicators. This requires all parties involved to understand who their target audiences are. Each leader, manager and employee, must make sure that they make ethical decisions. These decisions must be in alignment with the organization’s mission statement and business practices. Communication...

Words: 272 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Student Guide

...Week One Student Guide In week one, you study team and organizational communications, as well as review the connection between culture and communication. In addition, students examine virtual communication methods, group communication competencies, and team skills, Students discuss dealing with difficult team members and the role of conflict in group communication. This foundation is critical for students’ understanding of the concepts to be discussed in later weeks. This week, you discuss and define communications. Why might you communicate in teams or groups? Why might you communicate internally in your organization, or externally with vendors and customers or other external stakeholders? When might you communicate informally and formally? How does conflict affect communication? You begin to discuss how conflict affects communication and why you might adapt the form of communication to the recipient. Organizational Culture and Communication OBJECTIVE: Use the tools available to University of Phoenix students. Resources: Student website Content • E-Book Collection • Center for Writing Excellence located on the Materials section of your student website o Plagiarism Checker o WritePoint o Tutorials and Guides • Sample Paper • Writing and Style Guides • University of Phoenix Writing and Style Guidelines • Learning Team Toolkit o Learning Team Charter o Toolkit Essentials • University...

Words: 683 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Com 3150

...Business Communication Essentials, 6e (Bovee/Thill) Chapter 1 Understanding Business Communication in Today's Workplace 1) Which of the following is true about the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work? A) Communication is important for most jobs, except technical jobs such as engineering or finance. B) The higher you rise in your organization, the more time you spend using the technical skills of your profession, and the less time you spend communicating. C) Good communicators are generally more difficult to find than good accountants, good engineers, or good attorneys. D) Good communication has not been linked to financial advantages for companies. E) Communication is important for most jobs, unless you are an entrepreneur. Answer: C Explanation: C) The world is full of good marketing strategists, good accountants, good engineers, and good attorneys—but it is not full of good communicators. Acquiring good communication skills will provide you with an opportunity to stand out from your competition in the job market. Classification: Conceptual AACSB: Communication Abilities LO: 1 Difficulty: Easy Learning Outcome: Describe best practices in team and interpersonal communication 2) Which of the following is true about the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work? A) Communication is important for most jobs, except technical jobs such as engineering...

Words: 10914 - Pages: 44

Premium Essay

Cross Cultural Essay - Email

...diverse cultural communication in the countries in which we have continued relationships with I have selected Italy to be my national culture of focus. Thank you for the opportunity to broaden my understanding of this sensitive area in my upcoming career. When travelling to Italy for business matters, there is one aspect that is regularly overlooked and considered to be of the utmost importance in Italian culture. This issue has become of very little importance in the United States as it is considered politically incorrect. The topic in mind is personal appearance and is idealized in the Italian phrase 'bella figura' or good image which is more than just dressing well but encompasses the overall way you project your persona.(Kwintessential) Italians tend to place a significant amount of importance on first impressions and will stand by those impressions. Manner of dress indicates social standing, level of education and professionalism. Italians dress very formally and conservatively in a high fashion and accessorized manner. Failure to do so yourself will immediately signify to an Italian that you are not a serious contender in their business realm. The personal appearance aspect of Italian business culture is based in large part on the significance of personal relationships in the Italian business world.(Living in Italy) Business people are in Italy are very sensitive about how the company they keep affects other people’s perceptions of them. They will not be...

Words: 393 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Importance of Hr in Business

...of HR Running Head: Importance of HRM in International Business Importance of HRM in International Business [Name of Author] [Name of Institution] 1- Outline Importance of human resource management is now globally recognized and business growth is related to better management of human capital of a company. The present research proposal, henceforth, sets ground to investigate the importance of managing, running, and stabilizing human resource in order for the growth of business. It aims to contribute to the existing research of human resource management (HRM) by organizing secondary sources and relating it specially to the expansion of business across borders that has come to be known as multinational companies operating in a number of different countries (INVESTOR, 2008). The paper also examines various facets and implications of across border business activities that aim to take place majorly due to HR issues such as mergers, acquisition, and so on (Chapman, 2001). Another important aspect of HR and business spreading over the international boundaries is cultural aspects of a specific region, country, or state that a business venture must come to recognized as a valid component. It is important to realize that in the flourishing of withering of a business local culture plays a decisive role. Related to this is the issue of workplace culture where, as in today’s global workplace, workers come from different cultures and backgrounds to work together. Hence it is...

Words: 1095 - Pages: 5