MACMILLAN The Long Conversation: Maximizing Business Value from Information Technology Investment (IE Business Publishing)

For many years companies have been investing in enterprise systems and IT initiatives but they are now struggling to achieve the desired results. It takes a long time to make the best of your enterprise systems so businesses must stop looking for the next technology 'silver bullet' and instead maximize the value of existing IT investments. Review 'Today's corporations succeed or fail, in part, according to their ability to manage enterprise systems (large and complex computerized systems with cost typically in the millions of dollars). The Long Conversation examines how organizations learn not only to live with enterprise systems, but also achieve goals beyond those they set out to achieve. This book closes the gap between rhetoric and practice. It provides tools to manage the dialogue (and learning) that takes place in diffusing new technological capabilities, growing mastery, and adapting the organization's business model. It is a must read for those who are interested in enterprise systems implementation.' Dr Ramiro Montealegre, Professor of Information Systems at the University of Colorado, Boulder, USA 'In our constantly changing complex business world, IT/Enterprise Systems are an excellent asset which can offer great added value to an organization. Implementing such IT and getting the most out of it however can be a long and difficult path with lots of obstacles on the way. One can easily get lost in the maze of technical possibilities. Therefore, especially when 'rolling out' such IT at different legal entities of a global operating business, it is of vital importance also to focus on people and processes. The Long Conversation gives a concise overview plus practical hints on how not to lose track and how to keep focused on the issue. Case studies from different industry sectors make it easy to get valuable help and guidance.' Frank Seeger, Head of Logistics, Bayer Health Care, Madrid ' a vital and long overdue book to help Executives understand that deriving value from technology investment is not just about technology, but about the organizational behaviours and processes that give substance to the IT infrastructure.' Professor John Beckford, Loughborough University & Beckford Consulting, UK About the Author OSWALDO LORENZO is Professor of Management at IE Business School, Madrid, Spain. He is specialized in three areas of knowledge and management: innovation, supply chain management, and information technology & business process management. His research interests lie in the implementation, assimilation and diffusion of enterprise systems for the purpose of improving processes and supply chains. Professor Lorenzo's extensive experience in this field has led organizations in different sectors (e.g. automobile, banking, government, and energy) to contract his consulting services. He has been visiting professor at Manchester Business School (UK),IESA Business School (Venezuela), INCAE (Costa Rica) and Bordeaux School of Management (France). Part of his experience comes from his work on publications for specialized journals like California Management Review, Journal of Business Ethics, Supply Chain Management Review, Communications of the Association for Information Systems, International Journal of Simulation and Process Modeling, Revista de Empresa, and Revista Latinoamericana de Administración. PETER KAWALEK is Professor of Information Systems and Strategy at Manchester Business School (UK). In addition, he has experience through different roles and contributions in Warwick Business School (UK), Instituto de Empresa Business School (Spain), and Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Professionally, Professor Kawalek has worked to board level with companies, on short projects with government ministers, and at all sorts of levels with public sector agencies. These organisations include O2, Jaguar Cars, SAP, Chubb Insurance Company of Europe, BT, GNER, Journey 9, United Ut