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Multiple Faces of Codification: Organizational Redesign in an IT Organization

Author

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  • Emmanuelle Vaast

    (School of Business, Public Administration, and Information Sciences, Long Island University, 1 University Plaza---H700, Brooklyn, New York 11201)

  • Natalia Levina

    (Information Systems Group/IOMS, Stern School of Business, New York University, 44 West Fourth Street, Suite 8-78 (KMC), New York, New York 10012)

Abstract

This paper details a longitudinal interpretative field study of an information technology (IT) organization in which a new chief information officer (CIO) implemented a major organizational redesign. The redesign increased the degree of codification in activities of the IT organization so as to control, coordinate, and deliver services more cost effectively to its business clients. We examine different stakeholders’ views of the change, the implementation processes, and the consequences of the redesign.The case analysis emphasizes specific challenges that designers of support organizations face when increasing the degree of codification. Key implications include the need for these designers to (1) pay as much, if not more, attention to the local organizational context as they do to the external environmental conditions; (2) communicate and negotiate constantly with various stakeholders concerning the appropriate degree of codification and control; (3) be wary of how a strict alignment of all design elements can blind the designer to important, unrecognized issues; and (4) consider that increased codification may help support organizations compete more efficiently with external vendors, but may also ease the process of outsourcing.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuelle Vaast & Natalia Levina, 2006. "Multiple Faces of Codification: Organizational Redesign in an IT Organization," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 17(2), pages 190-201, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:17:y:2006:i:2:p:190-201
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.1050.0171
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Efpraxia D. Zamani & Nancy Pouloudi & George M. Giaglis & Jonathan Wareham, 2022. "Appropriating Information Technology Artefacts through Trial and Error: The Case of the Tablet," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 97-119, February.
    5. Antonino Vaccaro, 2012. "To Pay or Not to Pay? Dynamic Transparency and the Fight Against the Mafia’s Extortionists," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 106(1), pages 23-35, March.
    6. François-Xavier de Vaujany & Vladislav Fomin & Kalle Lyytinen & Stefan Haefliger, 2013. "Sociomaterial regulation in organizations: The case of information technology," Post-Print hal-01648122, HAL.
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