Organizational Robustness and Information Systems

Abstract

The concept of robustness is critically analyzed. Although robustness has been widely adopted across scientific disciplines, no comprehensive and systematic conceptualization on robustness exists. This paper develops a framework to conceptualize organizational robustness. The framework outlines mechanisms of organizational robustness in three layers strategical mechanisms, functional mechanisms, and infrastructure mechanisms. The complex role of information systems for organizational robustness is also discussed.

Information systems flexibility and robustness of manufacturing firms in Nigeria

“…While persistence can be advantageous when the environment is stable and cause-effect relationships are well understood, persistence in the face of environmental changes such as legislative changes, competitor business failures, and technological advances can be lethal to the organisation (Audia et al, 2000) [5] . Systems can employ persistence to connect robustness with strategic mechanisms of robustness (Desouza & Xie, 2021).…”

“…buffering [30] . Structural stability is primarily responsible for persistence (Desouza & Xie, 2021). When a structure is unable to change its requirements, a structural component changes, resulting in a loss of resistance to disturbances and the structure being unstable.…”

“…In the context of robustness, superposition refers to a system's ability to respond proactively to perturbations and preserve system functionality via dynamically altering system activities in a dynamic environment (Desouza & Xie, 2021). When addressing the hyper-turbulence of an environment, superposition is distinct from adaptation.…”

“…To achieve organisational robustness, the organisation must be nimble in its approach to outsourcing in order to adapt to varying degrees of blackout disruption. Given the frequent changes in outsourcing strategies, the company's operations are highly uncertain; as a result, the organisation employs a superposition technique to create organisational robustness (Desouza & Xie, 2021) [13] . Organisations must employ the superposition method to create cognitive robustness in such an environment.…”

“…Organisations must be capable of repurposing, innovating, and reorienting organisational components (resources, processes, capabilities, and assets) in unique ways. In this setting, information technology may have a greater impact on organisational robustness (Desouza & Xie, 2021) [13] . If a system is incapable of prediction but is easily changeable, it can be modified to fit the occurrences, even if they were unanticipated (Mahinda & Whitworth, 2004) [33] .…”