Browsing by Author "Bytheway, Andrew"

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    Factors affecting information systems success
    (1995) Whyte, Grafton; Bytheway, Andrew
    There is continuing difficulty in achieving success with information systems, particularly in the sense of meeting users’ needs and expectations. This suggests that a fresh examination of the issues is needed in order that we understand better the causes of success and failure. Much previous research in this area has adopted one of two perspectives: improving the processes of systems development, or the structure and content of systems products. This approach has had only limited success in dealing with the problem. A wider review of existing research literature suggests that, in addition to the process and product viewpoint, an important factor in achieving success in the general case is the service management viewpoint. The question therefore arises: is service important in the provision of information systems, and is it a factor in achieving success in the eyes of the users? It is possible that service components exist which are unrecognised by those managing the development and use of information systems. If these components can be identified and understood, then they can be used to improve the overall level of success achieved. By applying repertory grid techniques a total of 43 constructs have been found which relate to user’s perceptions of success with information systems in business. Further analysis reduces these to 21 attributes which provide the basis of a new assessment and measurement framework. The use of these attributes in practice is illustrated using two cases: an information service provider and a hospital equipment supplier. Early experience suggests that software houses, commercial organisations and information systems departments can use these attributes as a management tool, and thereby improve the level of service and business benefit that they deliver to their customers.
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    Information in the supply chain: measuring supply chain performance
    (1995) Bytheway, Andrew
    Information is one of many factors in the development of supply chain operations. It is a key factor in a number of new initiatives, such as: business process management. partnership development, efficient customer response, tighter integration of supply chain operations and outsourcing of ancillary operations. Improvement of the supply chain takes place at different levels: simple efficiency (the Improvement of existing processes), improved quality of service (the redesign of business interfaces and procedures), and the radical restructuring of supply chain arrangements (more often talked about than actually done). Progressive supply chain participants are working mostly at the second level, to improve the effectiveness and quality of service. According to its general strategic approach and situation a business needs to measure different aspects of supply chain operations if it is to be successful. The combination of measures that might be needed in any real case will depend on the level of intended improvement, and such factors as: the characteristics of the supply chain; the nature of its constituent parts (goods, information and finance); the nature of the trading arrangements (and especially the cycle of trading activity from negotiation to final settlement). Using ideas presented here, this combination of measures can be managed more effectively, by first developing a list of candidate measures using a conceptual model, and then mapping them against a planning framework to ensure completeness and coherency.
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    Information modelling for management
    (Cranfield School of Management, 1995) Bytheway, Andrew
    A review of the literature shows substantial interest in new ways of modelling business, and a tendency to adopt a process or technological perspective in so doing. The information perspective is less often used and can present difficulties in terms of achievement and acceptance by non-specialists. A new approach to business analysis incorporates entity modelling (as well as other techniques) and provides a more flexible approach than is normally applied. It allows different starting points to be chosen, including entity modelling as a means of brainstorming management's ideas about what comprises the fundamental aspects and building blocks of the business. Three case studies - based in manufacturing, retailing and systems services respectively - provided an opportunity to test the usefulness of this more flexible approach. By undertaking model building and reviews with senior management, outside the context of systems planning and requirements analysis, it is shown that there is an acceptable form of information modelling which is useful to managers. A general topological framework was derived through these case studies which provided resilient and helpful. A particular feature of the third case study is the extension of information modelling to permit the construction of a completely new process model for a new business. This has potential for development at a time when businesses are more and more likely to consider a "fresh start" as an alternative to the conventional development and improvement of established business units.
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    A review of current logistics practice
    (1995) Bytheway, Andrew
    A review of the logistics and general literature reveals three forces at work which are changing the nature of global business: The globalisation of economies; The homogenisation of products; The advancement of technology Different sectors have a different level of awareness and achievement. Manufacturing is generally still somewhat inward looking, whereas retailing is the source of a good deal of innovation and change. In the United States the “Efficient Customer Response” initiative is a major factor in reshaping the channels of supply from manufacturing to retailing, and the distribution industry more than any other is suffering the effects of change. The more progressive participants in the distribution sector are trying to achieve a more dominant position, by offering a wider range of value-added services than simple transportation and storage of goods. The banking and payment clearing services sector is not seen as a major factor, despite the very significant opportunity to develop and improve payment services, and to link them more tightly with operational activity. The management of supply chain operations is becoming more sophisticated. Systems thinking, benchmarking and customer service imperatives are all causing a wave of new interest in the best ways to manage supply chain and logistics operations. The prospects for further significant developments in the future continue to expand, and it is difficult to see any limit or ultimate end to the development of logistics practices around the world.
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    A review of EDI research
    (Cranfield School of Management, 1995) Bytheway, Andrew
    In the summer of 1994, researchers with a common interest in electronic data interchange came together in Brighton, England, to hear selected papers and to discuss their mutual interest in the effects of EDI on business. The papers were presented and there was a considered response by an expert discussant. There was also open discussion of their content, and the requirement for further work. This working paper touches on the key content of each of the papers presented and records aspects of the discussion. From the sum of this research we can deduce that the critical dependency of EDI on business process management is a very important factor in success. The differences between the different sectors of business reported upon remind us that there are no absolutes in the business of EDI: the consequences of introducing EDI may well be simply to entrench further current attitudes, strengths and weaknesses. Only by stepping sufficiently far back from the detail of EDI will be able to deal with this.
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    Seeking business improvement: a systematic approach
    (1994) Bytheway, Andrew
    In analysing business processes and the ways in which they might be improved, redesigned or even recreated, it is possible to use some aspects and tools of systems thinking. The methods developed over recent years by the software and systems engineering community are applicable to business process analysis and can complement the more strategic thinking of the management theorists. An approach to the redeployment of certain systems analysis tools was developed by the Cranfield EDI research team, and includes three different analytical perspectives looking separately at processes, flows and the deeper components (high level entities) in a business. By allowing flexibility in the application of these techniques, and by allowing any one to be the starting point, a sound understanding of business operations and the potential for their improvement can be gained. Features of the analysis method include the circularity of the approach, leading to completeness in the results, and the use of the Value Chain and the Cranfield Enterprise Model as devices to check relevance and balance in the process and entitl models. Four practical studies show how this analysis method can be used to assess the potential for EDI and other business improvements in quite different business situations.
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