The textile and apparel industry stands out prominently among the most globalized establishments nowadays. It is different from producer driven resource chains led by multinational companies. The apparel industry is a Buyer-driven product chain led by way of a coalition of vendors, companies, subcontractors, merchandisers, buyers, and suppliers. Each participating entity is important in a network of resource chains which span from materials, to yarn, to textiles, to accessories, to clothes, to trading and marketing. Geographically, they course multi-continents and crosses local and national limitations. With the lessening profit margin and impact of modern processing communication networks, it is vital that any textile and clothes industry seriously consider establishing a cost effective IT infrastructure to keep up their competitive advantage.
Research will be carried out in small and medium scale clothing industries. The study of the research is to identify;
What information they require when coming up with decisions
The use of computer and IS when coming up with decisions
Recommendation of suited IT infrastructure
1. 3 Job Aim
As the creation industry becomes more globalized, the multi-factory supply-chain model has emerged. When several production lines are producing different products using one supply chain, it could generate plenty of information and data to be exchanged, supplied and received. The garment-manufacturing industry always seeks for new product development and efficiency improvement in development. In past years, advanced computer solutions already accomplish new manufacturing procedure and build up management tools. Today's manufacturers are looking towards more improvements and benefits with the focuses shifted to numerous different types of networking tools. These tools do enable them to get better opportunities on more complicated areas dealing with RFID like inventory control and supply-chain management, as well as the B2B e-commerce deals. However, while employing this latest technology, manufacturers are facing a long-standing problem - how the new solutions and systems can bring better coverage and practicality to the working of the firms.
1. 4 Job Objectives
The objectives of the job are in two folds notably research and experimental goals. The research targets focus on the id of relevant techniques and knowledge that could possibly emerge during the conduct of this project. Alternatively the experimental goals offer with specific procedures, software or other materials including simulation models and programming codes which may be constructed to accomplish the smooth do of this task. Research will be carried out analysis how IT and IS supports to all the levels of decision making and the various tools which is utilized by the companies. By identify what type of decisions and what information they symbolize suggest the utilization of certain analytical tools to enhance support procedures for decisions in clothing industry. Techniques from functions research are applied to develop profit optimization and cost minimization models. Information and accounting methods are being used for assessing costs of sourcing collaborations, and basic mathematics is used in cost estimates.
The overall main and core research questions of this study is to analyze how the IS and IT affects the clothes trade when coming up with decisions. More specifically, what are the pros and downsides in tools and exactly how that influences the apparel decision making process?
In order to carry out the study further the main research question will be :
"What's the impact of IS and IT on strategic decision within an organisation using a textile company as a research study?"
Below are the objectives of this work.
What will be the strategic decisions
What will be the proper decisions in Textile Company
What will be the factors which impact proper decision
What will be the features of information required in proper decisions
How has IS/IT inspired tactical decision in the organisation under study
What are future recommendation to make use of IS/IT to benefit tactical decision in textile organisation
1. 3 Rationale Of Study
Rationale of the study will be completed to offers combination of fast growing IT & IS which gives more impressive range of visibility and control to make decisions. For fashion professionals with a far more usage-oriented approach, try to demonstrate the effectiveness of available analytical and mathematical tools, which could benefit profits and support sourcing decisions. A lot of the apparel companies committed plenty of effort on decision making process utilizing it to boost efficiency. Information System (IS) and Information technology (IT) can be eventually lead to the development and creation of any sort of decision making and enhances your choice success in industry, using the info to decision model as a basis. In many respects, market of any country on the planet has been coordinated by the visible hand of the federal government decisions. The earth economy is now a borderless one, which immediately affects the overall economy of any country driving it into an open up economy. The increasing cost of production factors, wage rates, interest rates, GDP, inflation rate, etc stalls economic growth. Both public and private sectors want for ways to maintain their competitive border by improving financial efficiency, and one of those efforts is the utilization of Information Technology and Information Systems. They are really making an greatest effort to construct the information-communication infrastructure, and promoting to explore home based business opportunities using IS and IT.
Identify hazards and opportunities:
Chapter 2
Literature Review
Introduction to the CASE study:
The textile /clothes pipeline is a series of interrelates activities which originates with the make of fibers and culminates in the delivery of something in to the hands of the consumer.
Information Technology (IT):
In the 1960s and 1970s, the term information technology (IT) was a little known saying that was used by those who proved helpful in places like banks and hospitals to describe the procedures they used to store information. With all the paradigm switch to computing technology and "paperless" workplaces, information technology has become a household expression. It defines an industry that uses computers, networking, software development, and other equipment and processes to store, process, retrieve, transmit, and protect information.
Information Systems (IS):
The largest development generally in most economies is via 'information' industries. The success of such knowledge-based organizations lies in their information systems. Also, obligated by scientific change and globalization of marketplaces, many manufacturing market sectors are also positioning increasing emphasis upon information systems. Information systems are usually more than just computer programs. Though information and marketing communications technologies are participating in an increasing role in meeting organizations' information needs, an information system is a more general principle. It identifies the wider systems of people, data and activities, both computer-based and manual, that effectively gather, process, store and disseminates organizations' information.
Information systems, as a self-discipline, focus on discovering the interface between management, information research and computer knowledge. Computer Science targets it: software. Information Systems mediates both opposing worlds of individual activity systems and information technology.
Strategic Decisions :
In most businesses, a few decisions make the difference between superior performance and ordinary results. But strategic decisions are rarely easy. They call for high quality evaluation and tactical thinking, in order to select the right decision from between the countless possible options. They also depend on skills in handling your choice process, including sequencing activities, defining functions, effective teamwork and managing the people part. This useful and highly interactive program can help you improve the quality of your strategic decision making, providing sensible tools for handling both the analytic and process management difficulties.
Strategic decision address the business of today and the near future, not only marketplaces and decision making but also communal innovations, implications of strategy on the organizational framework and climate (Hussey, 1990). Types of proper decision problems can be found in the areas of marketing, costs, investment, financing, production changes, creation technology, etc. .
Information systems are tools to assist executives in proper management (Liu and Savolainen, 1994a-c, Partanen and Savolainen, 1995, Walden, 1992). They provide analytical facilities to aid in clarifying complicated problems in behavioral thinking, rival and enviormental examination, value chains and performance, etc. ,
Strategic decisions should be well designed and well governed. Strategic planning is a complicated decision - making process for the organization which includes planning and modifying of organizational goals, resources for applying them and usage of the resources (Ansoff advertising McDonnell, 1990)
Strategic decisions can be labeled as
Structured decisions :
Semi- organized decisions :
Unstructured decisions :
Impact of IS and IT in Strategic Decisions :
From new business models to new types of business, information technology has become a key drivers of business and an essential component of corporate strategy. But merely acquiring technology is insufficient; organizations must control IT effectively to get the competitive gain.
Henry Lucas's IT: Strategic Decision Making for Professionals focuses on the key knowledge and skills you need to take a dynamic role in controlling technology and acquire the maximum advantages from buying IT. Offering streamlined, up-to-date coverage, the text is ideally fitted to MBA students or anyone who wants to learn more about how exactly to gain the competitive edge by successfully handling IT.
Focuses on managerial issues: This text message explores the countless real technology issues confronting today's managers, such as what to do with legacy systems, when to outsource, and how to choose a way to obtain processing and services.
Shows how to judge IT investment funds: Two full chapters cover the worthiness of information technology and how to evaluate IT project proposals using both net present value and real options techniques.
Balances technical and managerial coverage: This balance can help you understand how diverse companies are suffering from their IT architectures and conditions.
Explains the many applications of technology: Concrete examples illustrate major IT applications, such as ecommerce, ERP, CRM, decision and intelligent systems, and knowledge management.
Problems where the stakes are really high, in which human being perceptions and judgments are participating, and whose alternatives have long-term repercussions, call for a rational method of their solution. Various techniques are in use for decision making at the tactical level. However, as of this level the problems are ill described are usually presents in terms that are uncertain, fuzzy and confusing, while problem-solving techniques based on sound mathematical key points can only be applied to systematic and well-formed problems. This mismatch between problems and their solution methods leads to the irritation of top decision designers and their loss of confidence inn numerical techniques.
In today's highly uncertain world making a decision which has permanent implications takes a thorough knowledge of likely or possible future situations as well as the potential to balance a huge variety of controllable and uncontrollable parameters. However, the time now given to decision makers to attain high risk long-term decision is lowering.
The economic framework of an industry is no crash. Its complexities are the consequence of long-term social fads and economic forces. But its results you as a company director are immediate since it can determine the competitive rules and strategic decisions which will make. Learning about that structure provides essential insight for your business strategy and it will create decisions.
Every aspect of management in the present day age relies heavily on information and technology to achieve success. It is an important reserve had a need to develop resources. Strategic Decision making and planning has been a topic of sizeable importance and interest to Information System pros in both business and academic communities because the 1970's. Decision making and planning is recognized as a critical competitiveness concern. Today, because information systems (IS) and it (IT) serve as the driver of several organizational transformations, you can find increased pressure on organizations to leverage their assets in technology and information systems. Success usually occurs when an organization is able to achieve congruence between IS and IT with organizational decision making and planning, which is achieved when the technological and general professionals of a business work collaboratively. The tactical decision making and planning process is supposed to ensure that technology activities are properly aligned with the evolving needs and strategies of the organization. This paper will examine the research on this ever-important topic and suggest an activity that will assist in the success of decision making and planning success.
Over the years, many organizations have made technology decisions and acquisitions that impact organizational information systems (IS) based on what they believe that or suggestions from sellers or fellow workers from other organizations. The end result of this approach toward decision making and expenses of money has been quite unpredictable. The pervasive characteristics of IS & IT in today's organizations coupled with increased pressure to leverage technology investments has drastically increased the importance of proper information systems planning (Bechor, Neuman, Zviran and Glezer, 2009). Today, most organizations insist that technology which is related decisions be produced with a specific understanding of business and corporation strategy and course.
Hoque, Sambamurthy, Zmud, Trainer, and Wilson, (2005) in Being successful the 3 Legged Competition define alignment as "the situation when a company's current and appearing business strategy is empowered, supported and unconstrained by technology. " Piccoli (2008, p. 155) areas that organizations "achieve a higher degree of fit and consonance between priorities and activities of the IS function and the strategic path of the firm" when they could achieve this so called strategic alignment. Alignment has become one of the top issues and concerns of IS management executives (Gutierrez, Orozco, and Serrano, 2009).
A construction that really helps to clarify the importance of information systems in the current organizations is the Information Systems Strategy Triangle. The subject matter conveyed by the triangle is that it's - very important to the three components of the triangle, particularly Business, Organizational and Information Systems ways of align with and complement each other. It is important to note that Business Strategy resides at the top of the triangle. The triangle is depicted as follows (Pearlson and Saunders, 2010, p. 23).
There are no shortcuts to the proper decision making process. Preparatory steps that ensure that business, organizational and information systems and technology used are aligned in a complementary fashion, are extremely important. Internal and exterior assessments need to be addressed, and the overall role of technology and information systems within the organization must be determined. A sense of how much should be spent on technology initiatives is also mandated. The most important point to remember is that the decision making process for technology must participate the overall business plan.
Practically speaking, strategy expresses the direction you want to go and how we intend to get there, and an idea depicts a view into the future that guides current day decision making (McNurlin, Sprague, and Bui, 2009). Organizations need to develop a proper planning process to be able to give a framework for decision making.
Deciding on the sort of tools to use in the decision making process is neither straightforward nor simple. The process is complex, there is not an individual best procedure, and coming to a single best technique for a specific organization is practically impossible. Because of this, many organizations start using a combination of techniques.
Decision making using information systems and technology was previously the work of technology and systems specialists. It has now changed to be always a collaborative planning concern of parties including top professionals, business unit managers, technology and systems professionals, and sometimes external stakeholders such as customers and alliance companions (Ruohonen, 1996).
Thus, planning and decision making becomes a partnership among people that have technical skills, the info systems group, and the general and functional managers of the organization. This process requires debate, clarification, negotiation and the accomplishment of a shared understanding (Piccoli, 2008; McNurlin, et al. , 2009).
With today's speedily evolving technology improvements, along with the somewhat unpredictable introduction of new rivals as a result of the web, organizations don't have a year to build up a plan, many years to implement the plan, and a three to five time useful life for the decision making plan. Everything that is technology-related moves at an instant tempo and change is inherent in the adoption of new technology and ISs. Because of the quickly changing technology environment, many believe that a "sense and react" method of planning is suitable. When clear opportunities appear, organizations need to answer quickly to be able to make the most (McNurlin, et al. , 2009). Some rapid responses may be looked at later as failed experiments, but which could end up being better than a lost opportunity.
In the preliminary planning prep, those accountable for the planning process must determine which combination, if any, of these planning techniques to employ as the process is designed. Generally as methodologies are developed, four elements for factor emerge. They include an thoughts and opinions of what must be solved, described techniques on what must be doneand when to undertake it, advice about how to manage the quality of deliverables, and an instrument kit to aid process (Ishak and Alias, 2005).
Most processes likewise incorporate a situation examination by means of Talents, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Hazards (SWOT). This examination addresses the organization's interior and external affects, strategy formulation, and specific goals along with tactical and functional plans for achieving the goals (Semiawan and Middleton, 1999).
Technology and information systems play an ever-increasing role in the current organizational environment. Due to the rapidly changing character of technology innovations, it may also be difficult to employ standard planning functions. The primary guideline for information systems planning is the fact the look process must be designed and conducted in position with organizational and business plans. Most organizations now concur that IS can be an important strategic organizational reference that provides strategic benefits and raise business performance (Dark brown, 2004). Within their plan, many organizations have implemented a sense and respond position in regards to to opportunities which could present themselves. Often, a circumstance development approach that appears to possible future developments is essential to help beat the quick rate of technology change.
There are multiple planning tools available for the proper information systems planning process. Choosing the tools that meet up with the needs of the organization and lend target to the desired areas of emphasis is crucial.
Finally, organizations should think about the advantages of technology-driven approaches to planning to assist with speed, efficiency, overall flexibility and marketing communications.
2. 1 Primary Literature Review:
For days gone by 15 years, many outfits companies have been positively monitoring their resource chains. Throughout, almost all has looked to stock owners and managers to desires to make decisions to changes in factory conditions and businesses to comply with local laws and meet brand compliance requirements. To meet up requirements, demands were positioned on suppliers to increase salary, minimize abnormal overtime time, secure freedom of connection, and improve health and basic safety systems for personnel. All together, brands were dictating lower and lower prices for products. Increasing demand for products at lower prices frequently avoids suppliers from getting the resources necessary to abide by the standards organized in codes of do.
Information Engineering is a method for extracting the "interpretation" within information that is necessary by a end user to produce a "right" decision. Information is the raw material of individual thinking, but it's the "so this means and understanding" that is the raw materials of decision thinking, and the human decision manufacturer acquires this interpretation and understanding from the "communication content" of the information. The process by which uncooked data is translated into decisions is depicted in the Data-to-Decision Pattern model. This low information utilization occurs because the user does not have enough diagnostic time to obtain the vital information buried in the statement. Therefore, the target ought to be to optimize the grade of the messages transmitted through the software from the information system to the real human user. Information Executive assists in this technique.
Chapter 3
3. 1 Strategy:
For the purposes of performing this task, the quantitative technique was adopted as it acquired more robust ties with the seeks and objectives of the work compared to the other types including the qualitative and ethnographic methodologies. While using quantitative strategy several quantities might need to be measured, examined and results presented as research to justify any conclusions that may be attracted. This contrasts with qualitative technique which focuses on subjective concerns like behavior and perception. It is however recognized that small elements affecting qualitative analysis such as observations may also have to be made to be produced once in a while to help progress an argument. Other, two research strategies notably, descriptive and analytical methods would be used with the quantitative strategy to implement this project. The descriptive procedure would be used to help summarize the usage from it & IS and how it's important to the strategic decisions making whiles the analytical way would be useful in inspecting all extra data collected for the purposes of this work as well as help assess experimental final results.
3. 2 Most important Research:
Primary research is used to gather data for the research study. Types of most important data collection methods include:
Qualitative research : A couple of four major methods used by qualitative researches such as observation, inspecting content material and documents, interview and emphasis groups
Quantitative research : Major quantitative research methods are employing books, using technology and statistics
3. 3 Extra Research:
Secondary research was completed to assemble information of existing data as well as evaluate and combine the info from the many sources to be able to answer specific research questions. During the extra research will be getting excited about gather information about advertising and brands in catalogs and periodicals by using library resources. Case studies will be utilized for gather more information such as positives & downsides about the study topic. Circumstance studies included the goals and objectives of several adverts and a general critic of the design. Since circumstance studies demonstrate samples from real life, it will help to increase the profound understanding and analysis on real situations.
3. 4 Data Collection:
DZ Group Ltd, is an independent medium size clothing garment which is based in London - South Gate which is established in 1980's. The case study has been conducted in aid of said company. Prior to the initiation of the job pursuing methods has been used for data collection. .
Interviews : an interview was completed by the writer with the contact person at the sponsor company. Interviews are highly formalized and organised using standard questioners. The interviews were carried out as
Structured interviews: used standard specified questioners and refer to each individual participant. This interview was documented and provided important information found in the introduction of the Conditions of Reference for the job.
Semi set ups interview: used standard given questioners and additional questions has been asked of specific participants.
Questionnaires or Research : A questionnaire is an enquiry tool that contains some standard questions used for the purpose of gathering useful information from specific participant.
