Information strategy and organization structure

Abstract. The information systems literature has taken little recognition of developments in the areas of organization structure and design. The concentration of professional practice has been on management information systems for ‘big business’ and ‘book‐keeping’ systems for smaller businesses. This is a very limited view of the overall needs for information in organizations. Organizations may take many forms, and the nature of information systems that are needed will vary depending upon the particular form taken. This paper works from the organization structure literature towards a theory of information systems structure and strategy. Illustrative cases that support the hypotheses are described.