Why Technology Is Important within the Operations Domain - Essay Example

This is the use of the most advanced manufacturing technology which enables an organization to respond more effectively to market conditions. In this manner, the application of CIM makes strategic management more effective. Therefore its importance in the operations domain cannot be questioned. However, the expectations from technology are not always realized because of the lack of end-user involvement which makes implementation problematic. If the end-users are not involved in the implementation cycle, then the finished software may not address all the operational processes as required. Since the end-users are directly responsible for the operational processes, they should be involved in the implementation cycle in order to ensure that the technology is integrated into the operations environment in the right way. However, facilitating end-user involvement may not always be possible.

An important element of the implementation cycle is project management. A project management team consisting of qualified personnel must be formed in order to ensure that the implementation is strategically aligned. However, the formation of the project management team is separate from the day-to-day operations of the organization. Therefore the management may not be in a position to provide the required personnel when it comes to managing the project of technology implementation. In that case, the end-users are not familiar with the software functionalities and so the management has to provide training facilities. Moreover, the end-users may not be satisfied in working with the new technology and this has a negative effect on motivation. As a result, there are unanticipated consequences at a time when it may be too late for the management to undertake corrective measures. People's issues are paramount when it comes to implementing technology. However, in most cases, the focus is upon introducing complex technologies without any regard for whether the people in the organization will be able to work with those technologies.

Hill and Jones (2007, pp. 44-45) state that the focus of implementation should be upon customizing technology to align it to the unique practices in the organization. If the focus is upon modifying the operational practices to suit the technology, then the company’s strategic focus is no longer maintained. In that case, costs are greater than the benefits since software functionality does not enhance the operational processes. As a result, the organizational structure does not gain anything from the management of technology.

Conclusion
Management of technology contributes to the operations domain by computerizing the main functions of an organization. However, the implementation cycle can be problematic from a lack of end-user involvement. If the end-users are not comfortable with using the technology, then its functionality cannot enhance the operations domain.