IT Matters

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Nicholas Carr's 2003 article, "IT Doesn't Matter." It describes Carr's analysis of the progression of information technology (IT) in organizations and his arguments that this technology follows the same evolution as previous major innovations, such as electric power and the railroads. The paper then discusses the pro and con responses that he received to his article.

From the Paper:

"Recently, Coldwell Banker received an innovation award for its inventive use of the virtual world of Second Life. Instead of using the web's infrastructure in its usual fashion, the real estate company went a step further. As a pilot test, the New Jersey company decided to put one of its houses for sale--a $3.1 million Seattle estate--on Second Life and allow avatars worldwide the opportunity to take three-dimensional tours through the property. It is even possible to open up the house's back door and see the beautiful view of the mountains. In the first week, 3,500 people took a tour of this house. No one ran to the real estate agent to buy the house. However, that is not the point. The fact is that these 3,500 individuals (and some of them perhaps even potential buyers) were able to "see" the inside of a house they would have never dared to visit in real life. With the success of this IT project, in the future Coldwell will surely be offering 3-D tours of many other homes for sale."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brown, J and Hegel III J "Does IT Matter? An HBR Debate", Letters to the Editor, Harvard Business Review (2003), 41-49.
• Evans, Bob. Business Technology: IT is a Must, No Matter How You View It. Information Week online. May 19, 2003. 6 September , 2007 http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/
• Carr, Howard. IT Doesn't Matter. Harvard Business Review (2003). 81.5
• Gibson, Stan. SIM Attendees Say 'Does IT Matter? ' Author is Off Course. Eweek.com September 27, 2004. 7 September 2007. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1649410,00.asp
• Hayes, Frank. IT Delivers. Computer World Management. May 19, 2003 6 September, 2007. http://www.computerworld.com/managementtopics/management/story/0,10801,8 1278,00.html

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