Multi-Dimensional Modeling in the Health Industry

Today’s information-rich and knowledge-based business society relies heavily on information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) design to enable the business to operate effectively and create a competitive advantage. Firms must align their IS design and performance with the core business competencies and business goals of the firm. There are multiple paths toward this end, and inefficiencies and conflicts may arise when the firm’s IS strategies diverge from the business goals. There is no difference in the health industry, where conflicts exist between IS infrastructure and development, and business goals. The existence of inflexible mainframe IS unable to support modern technology such as the Internet, telemedicine, wireless technology, and real-time management software has compromised the business goals and business development in the health vertical to the extent that it has now fallen behind other comparable knowledge industries. Where reference is made to more cohesiveness among IS capability, independence of the IS department, and the alignment of business goals, there is no mechanism or detail given on how this is achieved. Grover and Segars (2005) claim that while there have been studies that examine the “what” questions in strategic information system planning (SISP), particularly concerning the issue of IS business alignment, there has been little on the “how” questions. A multidimensional cohesive model for IS planning and measurement of IS effectiveness has been developed as a means to more integrated planning and a simpler but more realistic means of assessing the effectiveness of the IS in business. The multidimensional cohesive model is applied to the selection and implementation of an information system in the health industry. The implications this has on the health industry include the opportunity to change to a more efficient business structure, a means to implement a modern technology(Web-) based IS and an inherent capacity for change management.