Why IS Management is in Trouble and How to Save It: Lessons Learned in the Automotive Industry

The problem of understanding the operation and management of the business, and its consequences for an automotive supplier was discussed. The study shows the importance of maintaining joint education and training during the ongoing maintenance of the system. It also highlights the importance of creating a sense of ownership over the information systems (IS) among the users through interaction and the effect this has on increasing the value of the IS to the company. The study found that, in many of the plants the ERP experts spent most of their time trying to be as responsive as possible to unavoidable problems and new requests brought to them by line managers and users at the plants. The project aimed to train the ERP experts and their understanding of the business processes, to improve users and managers understandings, to evaluate the use of the ERP, and opportunities to increase their benefits. The project helped to achieve some major benefits and mutual appreciation.