Global Information System - Essay Example

Global information system Global Information System Affiliation March Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 3 Global Information System basic idea 3 Nature and function of global information systems 5 Key qualities and indicators of successful global IS 7 Considerations must be addressed 8 Conclusion 9 References 9 Abstract The global information system (GIS) is a worldwide-coverage, up to date strategic intelligence way that is used by large size organizations. In addition, the global information system contains data of many thousand pages and images on more than two hundred countries and territories that are reorganized regularly, together with a continuously increasing database of particular reports on numerous regional studies and specialist topics. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the position and understanding of the nature and function of global information system. Additionally, the basic intention of this research is to offer a comprehensive overview of the key qualities and indicators of successful global IS, and an explanation of considerations that must be addressed when taking an information system to the global level. Global Information System basic idea Global information systems could be described as information systems intended to gather, process, incorporate, communicate and evaluate the whole “body of knowledge” concerning to a specific field. Since, this type of information systems is used to support some application necessitating this knowledge in an “on-demand” mode through ultimate information quality evaluations (Rolland & Monteiro, 2002). According to Ouksel & Sheth (1999), the paradigm of global information system has the similar intentions and operational structure but having a completely different tasks as compared to geographic information systems. In addition, this type of information systems offers the context of worldwide setting, either for its development or utilization procedures. Additionally, these information systems are extremely concerned with distributed computing and distributed systems that can be located at global level. Since, through the current progresses in computer software and hardware technology, it is probable to develop the relational data management systems those can consistently uphold storage of huge amounts of information concerning to a specific field of science. Biehl (2007) stated that the novel interoperable is offering the ways of standardizing data communications that are based on the XML (i.e.: extensible markup language) technologies, advanced production software like that expert systems, as well as safe web based networks have produced extraordinary prospects intended for defining and establishing a new model of huge global information systems in science. Thus, the development of the global information systems has improved the scientific discovery procedures, knowledge communication and industrial development (Biehl, 2007 ; International Strategic Studies Association, 2004; Ouksel & Sheth, 1999). The idea of global information system as well encompasses the characteristics of worldwide software development, their outsourcing (as outsourcing locations are internationally distributed) and off-shoring features. Additionally, a precise characteristic of GIS is the domain or case of GIS development. In addition, a global information system has to incorporate interface through inter-firm and intra-firm and software in a number of modes, for offering IT strength in every country, in which a corporation offers services and connects to its supply chain partners for carrying out business activities. Since, a global information system is used to ensure the exchange of extremely structured information globally. Thus, in this scenario organizations can incorporate the local customization that could be permitted in every country (Ouksel & Sheth, 1999). In most simple words, a global information system is used to deal with, control, and organize a huge amount of information encompassing border measures, tariffs, duties, exchange rates. And a global information system is aimed at offering optimization methods that support the worldwide logistics network (Reed & Sanders, 2008; Levy, Silberschatz, Srivastava, & Zemankova, 1994). Nature and function of global information systems According to Sannarnes (2008), the information systems technology has played a significant role in businesses. In addition, to respond the globalization, information systems have contributed to the opportunities and feasibility of globalization. As well, national differences can influence the accomplishment and application of information system when relocating technologies in diverse nations. Sannarnes (2008) has presnted the three fundamental components of global information systems those are given below (Sannarnes, 2008): IS/IT in diverse countries and cultures IS/IT that are global in scope IT services and products that are developed in one nation and employed in another nation The extensive degree of diversity among a number of significant dimensions like that business practices, culture, social traditions, and technical context formulate the global information system in a complex area. It is identified that four fundamental areas are significant for successful worldwide IT application of global information system; these factors are (Smith, 2007; Sannarnes, 2008): Information technology platforms The association of global IT to worldwide business strategy Cultural environments Global data sharing In addition, the above given factors are the basic factors for any global information system development and implementation. Sannarnes (2008) outlined that there are some of main global information system and information technology management frameworks or policies for global information management (GIM) that describe the basic needs and requirements for the development of the global information system. Global information system is developed under some of main and critical considerations. These critical jobs play valid and significant role in the development of the global information systems. These critical jobs comprise process and system design themes that are intended to find out an organizational need regarding collaboration and processes among extensively distributed actors. Since, they offer a detailed overview of business arrangement how they need to build and organize the global information system that could be integrated and distributed globally (Xiao, Chua, & Liu, 2003). The next major aspect in global information system is technical architecture. In case of development of any global information system there is need to find out the main technical infrastructure that facilitates the actors to collaborate. In addition, there is also need to assess some of the main support mechanisms that are intended to outline the procedure for collaboration, communication and cooperation supported. Additionally, a range of examples regarding global information system implementations are available, like that a website of a multinational company could be considered as a global information system. Though, typically a GIS is referred a specific system implemented and employed in the global framework (Zembylas & Vrasidas, 2005). Key qualities and indicators of successful global IS Normally, global information systems are developed and implemented by large size corporations to handle and manage huge business and corporate data. Since, the arrangement of the global information system technology is intended to uphold and run the huge business operational services and communications all through the world with involvement of sub-divisions. Thus, the organizations need to respond to question regarding global information system that how they need to design system that could be used by the people from a lot of diverse cultures and countries. Since, the main and key qualities and indicators of successful global information system are that people located in different cultures and societies could be able to use the system and could have feeling of satisfaction and happiness in doing so. However, the basic concerns and issues are the similar to the traditional information system for instance, whether one is designing public interfaces for the interaction with customers, or the inner system which will be used by the organization’s personnel. Thus, by following these rules, a multi-national business could develop a “global” system through standardization of the user interface and get benefit from substantial economies of scale. However, the main quality aspect that needs to be applied are about the uniform interface in a single language through small modifications to match to local, legal, and operational requirements of place where a global information system is going to be implemented in worldwide environment. This will hardly ever be possible but they can try to implement these quality parameters (Sannarnes, 2008; Biehl, 2007 ; Levy, Silberschatz, Srivastava, & Zemankova, 1994). Considerations must be addressed This section presents the considerations that need to be addressed when taking an information system to a global level. In this scenario Sannarnes (2008) outlined that complexity of establishing and implementing a global information system is influenced by the cultural dissimilarities in the nations concerning the information system development areas, particularly when the project manager is unaware with the global context as well as factors and issues that have to be recognized and considered all through the global information system implementation. Also, additional complications take place because of the business factors for the global information system implementation; these factors could be (Sannarnes, 2008; Biehl, 2007 ; Rolland & Monteiro, 2002): Legal environments Languages Technology Vendor support Local market size Data export controls Data availability and accessibility Local IT knowledge and skills However, the significant success factors of implementing a global information system are relevant in determining project success through analyzing the above given factors of system development. In addition, the majority of significant factors are related to the top management and their understanding and interest in the project’s intricacies and initially proposed aspects. Since, in case of lacking top management support the project could fail or would not offer successful outcomes. Another factor is related to financial resources that need to be to be devoted to the project when that was approved as well as begun. In addition, there are also lots of factors those need to be addressed during the development and implementation of global information systems. This, there is need to assess the nature and state of operations of global information system that will offer a better insight of the new technology establishment in a global environment (Sannarnes, 2008; Biehl, 2007 ; Levy, Silberschatz, Srivastava, & Zemankova, 1994; Rolland & Monteiro, 2002). Conclusion At the present, information system has become a vital need for almost every business and organization. In case of huge business that is spread all over the world, there is need to develop and implement a global information system that could support and uphold the huge management and operational tasks. Thus, the global information systems are the most effective technology to manage the business internationally. This paper has presented an insight into the position and understanding of the nature and function of global information system, key qualities and indicators of successful global IS, and an explanation of considerations that must be addressed when taking an information system to the global level. References Biehl, M. (2007 ). Success factors for implementing global information systems. Communications of the ACM, Volume 50, Issue 1, pp. 52 - 58. International Strategic Studies Association. (2004). The Global Information System. Retrieved March 09, 2010, from http://128.121.186.47/ISSA/gis/index.htm Levy, A. Y., Silberschatz, A., Srivastava, D., & Zemankova, M. (1994). Challenges for Global Information Systems . Very Large Data Bases, Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Very Large Data Bases (p. 755). Santiago, Chile: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers Inc. San Francisco, CA, USA. Ouksel, A. M., & Sheth, A. (1999). Semantic Interoperability in Global Information Systems. ACM SIGMOD Record, Volume 28, Issue 1, pp. 5-12. Reed, G. M., & Sanders, J. W. (2008). The Principle of Distribution. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Volume 59, Issue 7, pp. 1134-1142. Rolland, K. H., & Monteiro, E. (2002). Balancing the Local and the Global in Infrastructural Information Systems. The Information Society, Volume 18, Issue 2, pp. 87-100. Sannarnes, M. K. (2008). Management of Global Information Systems: A Review of Research from 1999-2007. IRIS31 - The 31st Information Systems Research Seminar in Scandinavia, Department of Information Systems, University of Agder . Smith, D. C. (2007). Information Systems. Encyclopedia of Business and Finance. Ed. Burton S. Kaliski. Vol. 1. 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, pp. 385-388. Xiao, J., Chua, T.-S., & Liu, J. (2003). A Global Rule Induction Approach to Information Extraction. ICTAI, Proceedings of the 15th IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence (p. 530). Sacramento, California, USA: IEEE Computer Society Washington, DC, USA. Zembylas, M., & Vrasidas, C. (2005). Globalization, information and communication technologies, and the prospect of a ‘global village’: promises of inclusion or electronic colonization? Journal of Curriculum Studies, Volume 37, Issue 1, pp. 65–83. Read More