Global Executive Information Systems

Senior executives in global companies need a system which provides relevant and timely information for effective decision-making. This information originates in different parts of the world and needs to be organized before it is used for decision-making. Information systems that provide information to executives (executives information systems or EIS) fail to incorporate the global dimension of information and how it is used. Issues relating to exploiting external sources of information: difference in cultures, currencies, measurement units and their impact of developing information systems; transborder data flows; diffusion of technology; differences in systems development environment and the skills necessary to develop such systems among others need to be examined. This text addresses the issues involved with the design, development, use and management of global executive information systems. Results from a study conducted to identify these issues are analysed and discussed in the global business environment context. Recommendations for developing a global executive information system are also proposed.