How Information Technology has Improved Management Process - Research Paper Example

Following are some definitions. As described by Nirav S., management processes are defined as those processes which are performed by managers. Managers are commonly involved in planning, organizing, directing, motivating, controlling and decision-making. (Nirav, 2012) Management processes can be of many types and have many aspects attached to them. Information Technology: As per the free dictionary, Information Technology is defined as the development, installation, and implementation of computer systems and applications.

(“Information Technology”, 2009) Information technology has affected organization and organization processes in many ways. It has changed the basic management approach by enabling them to access data from multiple sources at one time and then use this data in their basic functions of planning, controlling, decision making, leadership etc. As laid down by Eatock, Paul and Serrano in their research paper IT is considered one of the most important enablers of process change. (Eatock, Paul & Serrano, 2000) As described by Garvin there are three approaches to organization processes explained in the table below.

EXHIBIT 1 An Organizational Processes Framework Work Processes Behavioral Processes Change Processes Definition Sequences of activities that transform inputs into outputs. Widely shared patterns of behavior and ways of acting / interacting. Sequences of events over time. Role Accomplish the work of the organization. Infuse and shape the way work is conducted by influencing how individuals and groups behave. Alter the scale, character, and identity of the organization. Major Categories Operational and administrative.

Individual and personal. Autonomous and induced, incremental and revolutionary. Examples New product development, order fulfillment, strategic planning. Decision making, communication, organizational learning. Creation, growth, transformation, and decline. (Garvin, 1998) Management Processes In this part the management processes are discussed in detail and a step by step approach to management processes before and after the implementation of Information Technology is discussed and compared so as to arrive at the advantages Information Technology has brought for the managers in carrying out the main management processes and decisions.

There can be many types of management process like work processes, behavioral processes, and change process. However, all the said management processes are undertaken in the same step by step approach. As highlighted by Garvin, common examples of processes include new-product development, order fulfillment, and customer service; less obvious but equally legitimate candidates are resource allocation and decision making. (Garvin, 1998)