COMPUTER-INTEGRATED OPERATIONS - THE INTRODUCTION OF A HOSPITAL INFORMATION SUPPORT SYSTEM

Study of the integration of operations through the application of comp uter technologies has focused on the manufacturing sector. In looking at the difficulties found in operating these technologies, increasing emphasis is being placed on their organizational aspects. These have b een examined in depth by Ebers and Lieb, who concentrate on the social processes in implementation and the effects of reducing organizationa l slack. Applies this framework to the integration of information syst ems in a UK hospital. Examines the effects of integration: the new sys tem is circumvented and organizational slack is redistributed as well as removed. Shows the importance of the cultural differences underlyin g the social processes between those introducing and those using the s ystem, as well as within each of these groups. The framework of analys is provided by Ebers and Lieb thus proves to be quite robust. Conclude s that our concern should not be computer-integrated manufacturing but computer-integrated operations.