Innovation in the information age : a study on strategic IT-integration in high-tech firms in Thailand | |
| Author | Naber, Klaudia Maria |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.SM-99-1 |
| Subject(s) | Technological innovations--Thailand Information technology--Thailand |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, School of Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Information Technology is becoming more and more complex as the classical boundaries between companies, industry and nations are fading away because of it. The innovation process of a company is highly affected by Information Technologies as a tool. IT, in this study Intranet and Internet, needs a high degree of strategic integration and harmonisation within the company in order to enable a communication network, which leads to innovative products. This study attempts to identify 5th generation firms due to the modified framework based on several indicators such as the factors listed by Rothwell driven by IT. The study will observe the corporate external operating environment as well as the corporate culture and strategies influenced by components of Strategic Information Systems (SIS). This study focussed on the analysis and evaluation of the innovation process management framework in selected high-tech-firms in Thailand such as jewellery, petro-chemicals, construction materials, food .processing and airline industry. The study attempts to modify the innovation management framework regarding IT-integration and adaptation of the economic and cultural environment in Thailand. The results indicate that Information Technology is highly influencing the Corporate Network, which contains the Corporate Culture as well as the Firm's External Operating Environment through the main IT-driven communications tools. There is a clear commitment of top managers in Thailand towards IT-integration for main business purposes. A lot of important fact~n·s indicating the 5th generation R&D management, like a time-based management, quality and customer focus and incremental improvement, are already integrated. However, high power distance and a quite loose network towards suppliers and competitors on the market remains IT in Thailand still as mainly an operational rather than a strategic tool. This illustrated the strong influence of the cultural background on the management style. The study developed an innovation management framework appropriate for high-tech firms in Thailand to integrate Information Technology with a strong strategic approach in order to gain maximum use of the new communication channels. Finally this framework should enable not only the strategic integration of IT tools in the in-novation management process but should encourage the local companies to set up virtual organisations to get competitive on the global marketplace and stay independent. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Igel, Barbara; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Vatcharaporn Esichaikul ;Swierczek, Fredric William |
| Degree | Thesis (M.B.A.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |