Information Systems for Managing Second Order Dynamics of Organizations

Abstract

From the point of view of information technology the past decade can be designated the “decade of ERP”. A global movement of implementing integrated systems for optimising the fulfilment of orders has dominated both investments from large and medium corporations and the focus of research and educational institutions. The results of these implementations sometimes have been dramatic: Significant improvements of throughput time, and at the same time clear decreases in inventory. Organisations have become like machines. Interesting material - though not in all aspects consistent - on the improvement of productivity is collected in (Potthof, 1998). Unfortunately, and strangely enough, only little research has been done in the consequences of ERP systems on the flexibility and adaptability of organisations.