Changes in Information Technology Management in Hydro-Quebec
Videos of Interest… Something to Think About…
In this video, Michael Porter presents his new “shared value” framework to create not only economic value for corporations but also for society. He argues that organizations should begin taking the lead and adopt a modern competitive strategy to solve societal problems. Will this new business model be adaptable to an organization like Hydro-Quebec discussed in the Case Assignment?
TED Ideas Worth Spreading. (2013, June). Michael Porter: Why business can be good at solving social problems. Retrieved from http://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/michael_porter_why_business_can_be_good_at_solving_social_problems.html
Assignment Overview
The case for this module involves Hydro-Quebec and its efforts to reorganize and restructure its IT support and management functions in line with new demands and new business models. It effectively captures the complexity of the interactions required when IT management is required to adapt creatively to changing business demands, and the enormous number of factors that need to be taken into consideration in this adaptation. It will certainly challenge your abilities to think about how new systems have to integrate with legacy systems, about the personnel and human resources issues involved, and about the changing nature of the information base in IT, from one based primarily on hardware and technical expertise to one based on software, business knowledge, and customer relationships. As we will see in future modules, technology doesn't go away; it just plays a different role than it did in the early days of IT management. This case is a good exposure to the new realities of IT management and the breadth of understanding of the business and its environment required of managers in this rapidly evolving world.
Case Assignment
Please read the Hydro-Quebec case:
Dube, L., Bernier, C. and Roy, V. (2007) Information Resource Management at Hydro-Quebec. International Journal of Case Studies in Management. 5(2):September. HEC023.
Use information from the course background readings as well as any good quality resource you can find. Please cite all sources and provide a reference list (use APA format) at the end of your paper.
Your answer to the following will be assessed:
- Describe the external factors and internal factors affecting change in IT management at Hydro-Quebec.
- What changes would you suggest for Hydro-Quebec and why?
Changes in Information Technology Management in Hydro-Quebec
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Changes in Information Technology Management in Hydro-Quebec
Introduction
Corporations are more concerned about making profit with little regard to caring about the welfare of the public and the customers. The operations of the corporations should not be the source of demeaning the good lives of people. More often, corporations and companies emit dangerous gases to the environment polluting the environment without caring about the destruction they cause. Responsible business is not only expected to avoid pollution but should help in solving societal problems (Fledge, 2013). Participating in activities that reduce social problems could eventually help the corporations increase in profitability. This is through increased loyalty of the customers and good relations with the public. Hydro-Quebec is a corporation that deals with distribution of electricity after it has transmitted it from its source of production (Dube, Berner & Roy, 2007). The company has recently adopted a modern it changes which will boost its customer relations, and efficiency in addition to influencing positively life of the public. This paper looks at factors that influence IT management changes in Hydro-Quebec and necessary changes that should be made.
Internal and External Factors Affecting IT Management Changes in Hydro-Quebec
Internal factors that are affecting need to change the IT system in Hydro-Quebec include management, employees, company structure and company culture. The management of the company feels that there is need to improve the efficiency of the company and as such, come up with ways of integrating new systems in the company. The management decides that the company should be divided into different divisions, which will have specific responsibilities (Dube, Berner & Roy, 2007). The divisions will be headed by executive members who are professionals in their specific fields of work. The management is guided by code of ethics that ensure that individual persons remain accountable for their actions.
Through the division of the responsibilities, there are different departments that are created in addition to changing the organizational structure. The structure of the organization changes from being centralized to decentralized, where responsibilities are given to the departments (Dube, Berner & Roy, 2007). The various employees in different departments are given the mandate to make decisions affecting their functions. This includes budgeting and planning how to achieve their specified goals. Organization culture is also changing where the employees are more concerned about improving the satisfaction of customers. The IT system is expected to improve the efficiency with which customers are served and reduce cost of electricity distribution. Through shar...