Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: For the last thirty years there have been many changes in how organizations work, due\nto among other things globalization and information technology. This has changed the\nway we look at leadership. One effect is that more and more tasks have been devolved\nto first line managers (FLM). Their most important task is their HR responsibility. It\ncan sometimes be tough to prioritize this part of their responsibilities when some of\ntheir more ‘hard’ and visible tasks such as economy or functional activities insist on\nattention. This study has looked at how information systems can make information\nmore accessible for the first line manager and to help them have a better balance\nbetween their different tasks. This was done as a case study with elements of Soft\nSystems Methodology (SSM) and included semi-structured interviews with FLMs and\nother stakeholders in the organization around them. First the FLM role was examined\nto see what it looks like today, then how the information systems work today, and\nfinally what can be done to improve the use of the information systems. It was found\nthat the problems facing the FLMs when it came to information systems were large\namounts of information spread out at different places, many tools or applications to\nuse, and these were often used in a less than efficient way. The implications here are\nthat it is important how to structure and make available all this information for easy\naccess; the question if there can be too many applications so that they are no longer\neffective but become a hindrance; and that basic education in the systems followed by\ncontinuous follow-ups to learn to use the application in a more efficient way is\nneeded.
Author: Mats Malmqvist
Language: English
Subfield: Management Information Systems
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1538280393