Appropriate Information Technology In Emerging Economies: An Application For Strategic Decision-Making In Manufacturing Industries

Abstract

Competing in global marketplace has pressured managers respond to shifting market trends by increasing product quality, business process reengineering, and decreasing time to market for new products.  Within emerging economies top executives have realized that adoption of appropriate information technologies such a decision support systems (DSS) and group decision support systems (GDSS) have led to changes in the existing organizational structure and communication mechanisms.  This paper explores the advantages and constraints of DSS and GDSS in formulating manufacturing strategies in emergent economies.  We argued that to fit appropriate information technology to organizational design top executive would benefit from strategic information systems planning process.  This process enables top executives to invest in appropriate information system that fits their structural arrangements and organizational culture.  Moreover, we explored the impact of DSS and GDSS on executive decision-making capabilities.  We also explored the methodology for implementation of appropriate information systems in manufacturing firms in emergent economies.