This is a case study of Linkage, and the factors that influence the social dimension of Linkage, as found in the Canadian Forces at the base, or business unit, level. In the course of this study, eight Canadian Forces bases or units were examined to assess their current state of Linkage with regard to Information Technology (IT) Management. The Department of National Defence is a public service organization responsible for the defence of Canada. Like many large organizations today, the Canadian Forces (CF), is faced with budget cuts, and needs to downsize. There is an awareness within the CF that effective use of IT is one way to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness in a time of cutbacks. The traditional infrastructure of the CF has not kept pace with IT developments in functional areas, such as within its own Administration Branch. An information handling crisis is being faced by all Administration Branch personnel, and this situation is mirrored across other branches of the CF. In the course of this study of the business unit level of the CF, it was determined that Short and Long Term Linkage was influenced by Communication and Shared Domain Knowledge factors. Research results also indicated that Success in IT Implementation did not influence Linkage. Several other contributing factors were also identified, and a Canadian Forces Information Technology Management Partnership System was proposed to overcome these Linkage barriers. The importance of effective management of IT cannot be underestimated. If effective consideration of IT is made a part of the business planning process, Management Information Systems (MIS) practitioners will allow businesses, including militaries, to extract the full benefit and advantage from modern technological developments and procedures. Such is the goal of MIS, and of this work.

This is a case study of Linkage, and the factors that influence the social dimension of Linkage, as found in the Canadian Forces at the base, or business unit, level. In the course of this study, eight Canadian Forces bases or units were examined to assess their current state of Linkage with regard to Information Technology (IT) Management. The Department of National Defence is a public service organization responsible for the defence of Canada. Like many large organizations today, the Canadian Forces (CF), is faced with budget cuts, and needs to downsize. There is an awareness within the CF that effective use of IT is one way to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness in a time of cutbacks. The traditional infrastructure of the CF has not kept pace with IT developments in functional areas, such as within its own Administration Branch. An information handling crisis is being faced by all Administration Branch personnel, and this situation is mirrored across other branches of the CF. In the course of this study of the business unit level of the CF, it was determined that Short and Long Term Linkage was influenced by Communication and Shared Domain Knowledge factors. Research results also indicated that Success in IT Implementation did not influence Linkage. Several other contributing factors were also identified, and a Canadian Forces Information Technology Management Partnership System was proposed to overcome these Linkage barriers. The importance of effective management of IT cannot be underestimated. If effective consideration of IT is made a part of the business planning process, Management Information Systems (MIS) practitioners will allow businesses, including militaries, to extract the full benefit and advantage from modern technological developments and procedures. Such is the goal of MIS, and of this work. / Business, Sauder School of / Management Information Systems, Division of / Graduate