An analysis of the anticipated cultural impacts of the implementation of data warehouses

The implementation of information systems isincreasingly resulting in significant impacts upon the host organization’sculture. This study seeks to explore how major changesto the flow and quality of information, engendered through theimplementation of data warehouses, are likely to impact uponorganizational culture, among a sample of large U.K.-basedenterprises. An analysis of these cases suggest that improvementsto the flow of information may have the potential to modify organizationalculture, particularly in the areas of customer service,flexibility, integration, and empowerment. Moreover, a modifiedversion of the “competing values” framework is then used as amechanism for exploring and discussing the implications of suchIT-induced cultural changes. The paper concludes with a word ofwarning that information technology rarely delivers a quick fixand that the realization of benefits and the management of culturalchange are a long-term and potentially difficult undertaking.