- Email: [email protected]
Business information: technologies and strategies
Book Reviews
251
Business Information: Technologies and Strategies. By R I C H A R D THOMAS and MIKE BALLARD. Thornes, Cheltenham 1995. 302 pp. ISBN 0 7487 19229. At first sight, this looks like a fairly short introductory text book and although the title does not actually state that it is an introduction, elsewhere there is confirmation of this fact. The authors claim to combine a discussion about technologies with the strategic business issues involved in using information for competitive advantage. To my mind they achieve the first part of this more satisfactorily than they do the second. Any reader wanting to know more than the bare bones about competitive advantage, for example, would seriously need to look elsewhere. On the other hand, students studying strategy in more detail elsewhere on their course would probably find that this book dovetails nicely with other material. Target course groups for the book are stated as being HND/C and BA in Business Studies and the style of the book reflects this, with its use of practical examples and case studies from a business context. In my experience the technology sections would also be suitable for students on o~her programmes, even postgraduates seeking a clear and simple introductory overview on the major technologies and hardware and software. The book divides into four parts and 11 chapters. Each chapter opens with a statement of the ikey learning objectives it is intended to meet and has interspersed self-assessment questions. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions and problems for the learner to work through--as well as further readings which appear in the most part suitable. There are four Parts, each of three chapters. Part 1 deals with Business Information from basics-indeed I found it laboured the point a bit. Part 2 looks are hardware: microcomputers, central computer systems and communications and deals with the basics clearly and comprehensively. Part 3 covers software for PCs and centralised computers. Apart from the sections on databases and database management systems, some of this looks a little thin. Part 4 is devoted to information strategy and ranges from a brief description of Porter's Value Chain to computer security. It aims to provide a broad overview and introduction and does point to further reading. The authors appear to have tried to make this book as comprehensive as possible. It is therefore perhaps surprising that the book says little about some of the technologies which are being used increasingly in business such as electronic mail, multimedia and groupware. Indeed there is no mention at all of the potential of the Internet. Overall the book is written in a simple and easy-to-read style and at £14.99 it is reasonably priced. In line with its business emphasis it does spell out why such knowledge is useful to managers. It will suit anyone wanting an introduction but is unlikely to satisfy those who seek more. For the lecturer it has the advantage of a lecturer's pack containing materials to use in class. Hap' Management Consultants 52 Grosvenor Gardens London SW1 W OA U England
ELIZABETH H O U L D S W O R T H
251
Business Information: Technologies and Strategies. By R I C H A R D THOMAS and MIKE BALLARD. Thornes, Cheltenham 1995. 302 pp. ISBN 0 7487 19229. At first sight, this looks like a fairly short introductory text book and although the title does not actually state that it is an introduction, elsewhere there is confirmation of this fact. The authors claim to combine a discussion about technologies with the strategic business issues involved in using information for competitive advantage. To my mind they achieve the first part of this more satisfactorily than they do the second. Any reader wanting to know more than the bare bones about competitive advantage, for example, would seriously need to look elsewhere. On the other hand, students studying strategy in more detail elsewhere on their course would probably find that this book dovetails nicely with other material. Target course groups for the book are stated as being HND/C and BA in Business Studies and the style of the book reflects this, with its use of practical examples and case studies from a business context. In my experience the technology sections would also be suitable for students on o~her programmes, even postgraduates seeking a clear and simple introductory overview on the major technologies and hardware and software. The book divides into four parts and 11 chapters. Each chapter opens with a statement of the ikey learning objectives it is intended to meet and has interspersed self-assessment questions. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions and problems for the learner to work through--as well as further readings which appear in the most part suitable. There are four Parts, each of three chapters. Part 1 deals with Business Information from basics-indeed I found it laboured the point a bit. Part 2 looks are hardware: microcomputers, central computer systems and communications and deals with the basics clearly and comprehensively. Part 3 covers software for PCs and centralised computers. Apart from the sections on databases and database management systems, some of this looks a little thin. Part 4 is devoted to information strategy and ranges from a brief description of Porter's Value Chain to computer security. It aims to provide a broad overview and introduction and does point to further reading. The authors appear to have tried to make this book as comprehensive as possible. It is therefore perhaps surprising that the book says little about some of the technologies which are being used increasingly in business such as electronic mail, multimedia and groupware. Indeed there is no mention at all of the potential of the Internet. Overall the book is written in a simple and easy-to-read style and at £14.99 it is reasonably priced. In line with its business emphasis it does spell out why such knowledge is useful to managers. It will suit anyone wanting an introduction but is unlikely to satisfy those who seek more. For the lecturer it has the advantage of a lecturer's pack containing materials to use in class. Hap' Management Consultants 52 Grosvenor Gardens London SW1 W OA U England
ELIZABETH H O U L D S W O R T H