From Control to Drift the Dynamics of Corporate Information Infrastructures

Firms are investing considerable resources to create large information infrastructures able to fulfil their varied information-processing and communication needs. The more the drive towards globalization the more such infrastructures become crucial. The ''wiring'' of the corporation should be done in a way that is aligned with its corporate strategy -- it is global and generates value.This book presents six in-depth case studies of large corporations -- AstraZeneca IBM Norsk Hydro Roche SKF and Statoil -- which offer a rich picture of the main issues involved in information infrastructure implementation and management. Far from being a linear process the use of the information infrastructure is in fact an open-ended process in many cases out of control. Current management models and consulting advice do not seem to be able to cope with such a business landscape. This book provides the reader with interpretations and theories tha can foster a different understanding and approach. Thus the economics of standards complexity theory and actor-network theory are harnessed to penetrate the issues emerging from the case studies and to generate a new conception of the information infrastructure that is relevant both for researchers and practitioners.