E-management is a relatively new term in information systems and management literature. It links up IT (electronic) and  business management.  However, although I like good interdisciplinary concepts and actions,
I caution here that this term may lead learners, suppliers and customers to confusion in the future, if it is not properly clarified and if advocates are not people with a good vision.

Reviewing what have happened in decades of information management or information systems management literature, confusion is not uncommon. Buzzwords and concepts are abundant; but only a small proportion can be translated into successful problem solving actions.

I hope that  E-management would not become just another buzzword that would disappear after shining for a few years. And if its boundary is too wide or vague at this stage, focusing on specific areas is better than exchanging buzzwords without communicating, in courses and seminars.

E-management may mean one or more of the following areas:

1.   Management of IT corporate networks--managing the components of these networks (not the flows), including installing, operating and maintaining network channels, switches, servers, processors, terminals, etc. An older term is Information Resources Management (IRM). Included here can be:
-management of electronic office (EO), which is another term for corporate IT networks
-management of software of IT corporate networks

2.    Management of electronic flows--this area is very important in the traditional field of management information systems (MIS). It is also an area where buzzwords have generated a lot of confusion. Included here can be:
-executing all management functions (planning, operating, organising, controlling, etc.) through the help of electronic means e.g. e-marketing, teleconferencing, e-counselling, CAD (computer-aided design)
-managing electronic flows for meeting specific needs in all sorts of IT networks: Intranet, Internet, EDI, supply chain management (SCM)
-implementing the philosophies of 'free flows' or 'controlled flows' i.e. autonomy Vs controlled ways to send and receive information

3.    Management of impacts of corporate IT networks--this is more about psychosocial impacts, including motivation, empowerment, teamwork, cultural change, organisation design, etc.

4.   Knowledge management through the use of electronic tools--it is about gaining knowledge effectively through them; examples are library search systems, www searching systems, etc. Included can be the growing field of portal management.

5.   Businessmanagement consulting through the use of electronic means or called tele-consulting. With the help of  new technologies, tele-consulting can supplement to traditional management consulting, training and development approaches. It may not be suitable for all areas of business management, since face-to-face consulting is still the most effective way.

6.    Management of dotcom companies--included here can be homepage designs, planning website competitive strategies and organising back-up supports and co-ordination behind company web pages.  After experiencing rises and falls of dotcom companies, rethinking in this area is badly needed.

7.    Management of R & D projects in the field of electronics--this is about management of innovations and inventions, for electronic products and services before they are launched in the marketplace.
This area has often been treated as a standalone one. However, R & D, particularly applied research, needs a lot of integrative efforts to be successful.

For the purpose of this short message, I am not adding more areas.

So that communications can be effective, the supply side and demand side of knowledge dissemination need to have a common language. Therefore, for those who intend to join e-management courses and seminars, my suggestion is: try to find out which of the above specific areas will be explored. And if the supply side i.e. the speakers and organisers, cannot give a clear answer, most probably some old wine from a new bottle (new title, package, technical terms, etc.) would be offered.
 

Dr Charles Lam
July 2000

For more in-depth sharing on the above, or enquiring about management consulting, training & development needed for  your organisation, please email me

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