Making IT global – what facility management brings to the table?

Abstract

Globalization retains an imposing future for the managers of numerous companies, while the global information systems (IS) play a significant role in the connection, collection, access and analysis of information produced in interrelated operations from numerous national markets. The popularity of such systems in textile, manufacturing, finance and supply chain grows, as well as the development of IT support for global services remains a challenge. Through a Participatory Action Research project in a global service provider specialized in Facility Management, we investigated the necessity of introducing a systematic integrative approach by a national company for the Global System Development and approaching the issues emerging in a multinational context. As a result, an expansion model for a globalizing company was synthesized and the issues regarding its application discussed. The cultural differences involved in Facility Management market operation regarding both developing and developed European countries were identified and functionality, non-functional requirements and architecture of a global IS were elaborated. Finally, IS development strategy/development process management is outlined for corporations to achieve and maintain global competitiveness.