THE RELATIONS BETWEEN AN INNOVATION STRATEGY AND SUCCESS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS IMPLEMENTATION IN ORGANIZATIONS (OFFICE AUTOMATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT, PRODUCTIVITY, PABX SYSTEMS, ELECTRONIC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, PRIVATE AUTOMATIC BRANCH EXCHA

摘要

This study examined use of an innovation strategy by organizations implementing large telecommunications systems. It examined the relationship between strategy use and implementation success. The strategy consisted of seven variables described in the technological innovation and telecommunications literature. Implementation success was defined by the five implementation outcome objectives most often identified by telecommunications professionals. The study also investigated the role of telecommunications managers as implementation project leaders.; Sixteen companies in Northern and Southern California composed the sample for this study. Data were provided by 439 office workers and 16 telecommunications mangers from these organizations. Names of participating companies were obtained from telecommunications manufacturers, vendors, and professional associations.; Two different surveys were designed for this investigation. One was administered to telecommunications managers in private interviews. The other was self-administered by office workers. The manager's survey was used to identify managers' qualifications and administrative procedures followed in purchasing and implementing systems. Questions concerned the seven strategy variables: senior management support, organizational goal clarity, use of a communications audit, user participation in systems design, user education and training, provision for cost control measures, and use of feedback. Questions also addressed two outcome variables: system cost effectiveness and management control of system use. The office worker's survey was used to assess the other three outcome variables: worker use of system features, satisfaction with the technology, and perceptions of system efficiency.; Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between strategy use and implementation success. Six of the seven strategy variables were found to be positively related to implementation success. This finding supports evidence cited in the literature that the innovative effort significantly influences implementation success. It provides evidence that these particular variables are key elements of an effective telecommunications implementation strategy.; Pearson correlation coefficients were employed to test relationships between management qualifications and successful use of implementation strategies. Significant positive correlations were obtained for several relationships.; The discussion of results focused on the two strongest predictors of each of the five outcome variables. Recommendations were made for planning successful implementation strategies and preparing telecommunications professionals for their expanding management role.