Based on a survey of manufacturing firms, with a questionnaire based on issues identified repeatedly in earlier studies, this paper details the most important information systems issues for a sample of US manufacturing firms. The top four issues were found to be data resources, competitive advantage, end‐user computing, and aligning the IS organization. The common thread among all top issues is a focus external to the IS organization, either enterprise‐wide issues or issues that transcend the boundary of the firm. A factor analysis of the data found an underlying three‐factor structure: enterprise‐wide issues, IS functional issues, and applications issues.

Perennial management data systems issues in US manufacturing firms

The United States has been a dominant force in industrial and economic affairs worldwide. Recently, this dominance has eroded to a point which concerns most US manufacturers. What has happened to the US dominant position in manufacturing? Why has this competitiveness crisis emerged? This crisis is analysed the use of computer technology and computer integrated manufacturing are examined as possible solutions to the crisis. Final remarks concerning the major technical and behavioural problems are presented in the conclusions.

John C. Malley

Papers

Computer‐based information systems: their role in revitalising the united states manufacturing industry