PROGRESS WITHIN UK FIRMS TOWARDS INTER DEPARTMENTAL DATA EXCHANGE IN THE OPEN SYSTEM CONTEXT

The spread of open systems inter-connections for electronic data excha nge throughout a given company in the UK does not follow the classical S-shaped curve so often encountered for the diffusion of new technolo gy. In financial sector organizations the rate of spread of department al open systems inter-connections appears to be linear, but in the man ufacturing/production industry as many inter-connections as are going to be made, less occasionally one, become established within four year s of the firm starting to implement its open systems policy. Causes fo r this 'four year end point' are advanced.