The Development of Information-Integration: Beyond CIM?

This paper outlines and develops the concept of Information-Integration as characteristic of changes currently taking place in industry. The nature of technological development and its analysis (a technology audit) is examined, in order to argue that Information-Integration can be understood as a configurational technology. That is, it is made up of distinct components, combined as necessary to meet the exigencies of use, within the user organisation. These components include high-technology components such as robotics, Computer Aided Design, and Electronic Data Interchange; and low-technology components such as models of Work Organisation, Just-In-Time scheduling, Total Quality Management, and various bodies of knowledge and expertise. The development of Information-Integration is often a result of innovatory activity as the level of the configuration itself, as well as conventional supply-side innovation in the constituent components. This gives rise to a pattern of evolution in the course of implementing and using new configurations - a process of innovation during diffusion, or innofusion. Great opportunities exist for the active involvement of users in this innovation process, and cooperation among large numbers of suppliers is also demanded. In order to facilitate the development of Information-Integration, therefore, policies should aim at supporting industry-wide learning processes, rather than achieving specific supply- or demand-side objectives.