<p>This thesis examines how IT and the digitization of information have transformed processes of the graphic industry. The aim is to show how critical production processes have changed when information in these processes have been digitized. Furthermore it considers if this has influenced changes in productivity while also identifying other significant benefits that have occurred as a result of the digitization. The debate concerning the productivity paradox is one important starting point for the thesis. Previous research on this phenomenon has mainly used different types of statistical databases as empirical sources. In this thesis though, the graphic industry is instead studied from a mainly qualitative and historical process perspective.</p><p>The empirical study shows that digitization of information flows in the graphic industry began in the 1970s, but the start of the development and use of digitized information happened in the early 1980s. Today almost all types of materials in the industry, for example text and pictures, have developed into a digital form and the information flows are hereby more or less totally digitized. A common demand in the industry is that information produced should be adaptable to the different channels in which it may be presented. The consequences from use of IT and the digitization of information flows are identified in this thesis as different outcomes, effects, and benefits. The outcomes are identified directly from the empirical material, whilst the resulting effects are generated based on theories about IT and business value. The benefits are in turn generated from a summarization of the identified effects.</p><p>Identified effects caused by IT and digitization of information include integration and merging of processes; vanishing professions; reduced number of operators involved; decreased production time; increased production capacity; increased amount and quality of communication; and increased quality in produced originals. One conclusion drawn from the analysis is that investments and use of IT have positively influenced changes in productivity. The conclusion is based on the appearance of different automational effects, which in turn have had a positive influence on factors that may be a part of a productivity index. In addition to productivity other benefits, based on mainly informational effects, are identified. These benefits include increased capacity to handle and produce information, increased integration of customers in the production processes, increased physical quality in produced products, and options for management improvements in the production processes. The conclusions indicate that it is not always the most obvious benefit, such as productivity, that is of greatest significance when IT is implemented in an industry.</p> / ISRN/Report code: LiU-Tek-Lic-2005:38

This thesis examines how IT and the digitization of information have transformed processes of the graphic industry. The aim is to show how critical production processes have changed when information in these processes have been digitized. Furthermore it considers if this has influenced changes in productivity while also identifying other significant benefits that have occurred as a result of the digitization. The debate concerning the productivity paradox is one important starting point for the thesis. Previous research on this phenomenon has mainly used different types of statistical databases as empirical sources. In this thesis though, the graphic industry is instead studied from a mainly qualitative and historical process perspective. The empirical study shows that digitization of information flows in the graphic industry began in the 1970s, but the start of the development and use of digitized information happened in the early 1980s. Today almost all types of materials in the industry, for example text and pictures, have developed into a digital form and the information flows are hereby more or less totally digitized. A common demand in the industry is that information produced should be adaptable to the different channels in which it may be presented. The consequences from use of IT and the digitization of information flows are identified in this thesis as different outcomes, effects, and benefits. The outcomes are identified directly from the empirical material, whilst the resulting effects are generated based on theories about IT and business value. The benefits are in turn generated from a summarization of the identified effects. Identified effects caused by IT and digitization of information include integration and merging of processes; vanishing professions; reduced number of operators involved; decreased production time; increased production capacity; increased amount and quality of communication; and increased quality in produced originals. One conclusion drawn from the analysis is that investments and use of IT have positively influenced changes in productivity. The conclusion is based on the appearance of different automational effects, which in turn have had a positive influence on factors that may be a part of a productivity index. In addition to productivity other benefits, based on mainly informational effects, are identified. These benefits include increased capacity to handle and produce information, increased integration of customers in the production processes, increased physical quality in produced products, and options for management improvements in the production processes. The conclusions indicate that it is not always the most obvious benefit, such as productivity, that is of greatest significance when IT is implemented in an industry. / <p>ISRN/Report code: LiU-Tek-Lic-2005:38</p>

The main aim of this thesis is to acquaint the reader with the possibilities of economic management of enterprise information technology field by using tools provided by financial controlling and to propose an appropriate metrics for performance measurement of this area. The thesis is logically divided into three comprehensive parts. Firstly, the reader is acquainted with the historical evolution and general principles of controlling management approach, which is then applied to IT field. Along with them are in this section divided and described details of IT costs and IT effects, which are specific for field of enterprise information technology. The second part is dedicated to the application of controlling tools from the perspective of each phases of the IT component life cycle. The methods mentioned in this section include: calculating of Return on Investment, Net Present Value calculation, Life-cycle costing, budgeting or Activity Based Costing, which represents the modern calculation approach. The last part is intended to perform the measuring of enterprise information technology, along with the proposal of metrics and dimensions that might be used with applying business intelligence tools, as appropriate support for controlling the management approach.

This thesis focuses on the decision-making on IT investment. The main aim of this work is to present the comprehensive picture of the efficient investing which is further extended by the analysis of possibility of using the services of consulting company when deciding on investments in enterprise informatics. The reader is acquainted with the main areas of investment decision-making and planning. Attention is devoted to the topic of information strategy, costs and effects of enterprise IT. The thesis further continues with the detailed analysis and evaluation of methods of investment decision-making. Subsequently, the model processes typical for enterprise informatics are introduced. The analytical part presents the possibility of using services of external specialists. The advantages and principles of cooperation between the customer and consulting firm are illustrated on a detailed analysis of the processes of Logio Ltd., which is consulting firm where author of the thesis worked as an intern. Many conclusions can be immediately applied in practice. The work can be beneficial for organizations considering investments in enterprise informatics and especially for those managements of corporations that are contemplating the utilisation of consulting companies.