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Stephen L. Chan: Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: This research is supported by the Faculty Research Grant of the Hong Kong Baptist University. The research work by Ms Maranda Oi Yee Chan and Mr Jeffrey Chu is also acknowledged.
Introduction
Information technology (IT)[1] - the convergence of computing, telecommunications and imaging technologies - has had radical impacts on ITusers, their work, and their working environments. In its various manifestations, IT processes data, gathers information, stores collected materials, accumulates knowledge, and expedites communication. In fact, it plays a role in many, if not most, of the everyday operations of today's business world.
The integral role has come about with the recognition and realization of the potency of IT. In prior years, IT had been viewed only as a supporting player within the overall strategy of the firm. Automation was, for example, limited to existing organizational functions. But opinions have changed with the emergence and successful implementation of IT innovations. We observe that IT is now taking significant roles in business processes - creating new needs, causing new product development, and commanding new procedures. Following full implementation of IT in an organization, these internal changes may also lead to broader shifts in products, markets, and society as a whole.
In this paper, we propose and expound on a framework of the roles of IT as an initiator, a facilitator, or an enabler. In this framework, IT can assume any of the three roles, depending on the business environment and how the technology is being applied. We will also see these roles conceptually in the context of different business activities leading to business-need establishment, product innovation, and/or process innovation. In terms of physical implementation we may observe the different establishment and implementation of different functions, operations, and procedures. And, then logically, we view the triplet as addressing the Why-What-How questions in a business process.
Then, we illustrate the utilization of this framework. Based on this framework, we use two approaches to review the impacts of IT. We first examine briefly the growth of IT's impact on business processes throughspecific forms of technology - particularly the computing, telecommunication, and imaging technologies. Then, we turn to review IT's influences on organizations and management. In closing, we discuss...