Digital Transformation Assignment: Impact Of Information Governance And Management In Omron

Question

Task: In this assignment each group will be required to:
i) Write a conceptual research paper (in a journal paper format) that captures and integrates the work of every group member. The paper format will be as follows:
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Literature review
• Discussion and conceptual framework
• Reference list
ii) Do an investigation of the digital transformation, information management and information governance in a real organisation (any business in any industry). You have to identify and approach a business of your choice and do a 15-20 minute interview with a manager. During the interview you have to gather information about their digital transformation journey and how they manage and govern data, information and knowledge to achieve their business goals. You also have to identify the challenges they encounter to move into the digital economy and make recommendations to overcome these challenges
iii) Each group will also create a short slideshow capturing the learning and recommendations from the assignment (including the literature review, conceptual framework, interviews). The groups will do a 15-minute presentation of their work in class (all group members will participate, and the presentation will be graded as part of the assignment).

Answer

Discussion and conceptual framework
The study developed in this Digital transformation assignment sheds light on the various aspects of digital transformation. Digital transformation can be conceptualized as the systemic approaches that are used to either create new or upgrade existing operational processes to have a competitive advantages or to meet customer satisfaction and so on (Nambisan, Wright & Feldman, 2019). Omron is a Vietnam based global company who are specialized in manufacture of industrial Automation, electronic components, healthcare equipment as well as automotive electronics. In order to reach a successful conclusion of the study examined in the Digital transformation assignment and to have clear insight about the role of information governance and management in digital transformation, the managing director of Omron, Vietnam was interviewed. 

Though digital transformation is treading in every organization from all over the world, this organization included it in among their strategic goal (Westerman & Bonnet, 2015). This transformation has evidently increased their product quality, sales activity and operational performance. Digital transformation explored in this context of Digital transformation assignment is not something that can be brought in an organization by one person or in a limited time. Digital transformation in Omron was a time taking process; however the result of this transformation is worth it. According to the managing director of this organization, this was a team effort, where all the people of the organization from different hierarchy contributed according to their capacity. 

Nevertheless, the leaders of the organization, for instance CIO and the COO, took the initiative and supported the effort of every employee in the organization. The traditional methods of information management by the information governance struggle to maintain constant and rapid flow of data throughout the organization. Digital transformation brings innovation, which are vital to improve the business procedures in the organization. Information governance has a major role to play in transforming digital workplace. The strategic approaches of the information governance effectively manage all the information in the organization, which lowers the risk factors associated with the organization (Smallwood, 2019). 

The reason behind implementing digital transformation mentioned in this segment of Digital transformation assignment in this concerned organization is that it was facing some problems a few years back. The problems occurred due to the lack of accurate data and the improper management of information governance in the organization. The main task was to find out the problems and implement the approaches of digital information in the places. Various segments of the Omron that was suffering due to inaccurate incomplete information were subjected to digital transformation. For instance, some of these segments in the organization were, manufacturing functions, operational functions, customer engagement, as well as the logistics and services that are included in back office functions. Proper distribution data is needed in every aspect of the organizational business as the knowledge about the business process might provide the organization sustainability (Cai, Liu, Qian & Yu, 2015). It is evident that most of the organization faces some prior difficulties while implementing digital transformation in their organization. The current organization also faced some prior challenges. However, with the key information about the processes associated with the organization, like product, customer, vendor and their own operational business information to overcome this phase and ensures to achieve corporate goals. Centralization of data and maintaining integrity as well confidentiality is the success for digitalization for a longer period. 

Some of the major difficulty the organization faced is associated with their product, to track the availability due to the failure in alignment in the manufacture of the products and the sale. However, the IT and OT technology and the MES system linked with the ERP system of organization is a result of digital transformation. ERP system is the backbone of this organization that keeps an excellent track of the customer need and their preferences by conducting a market analysis. The data collected from various sources in order to develop this Digital transformation assignment illustrates that there is not a perfect framework to follow to implement digital transformation in an organization. Similarly, the organization does not have any framework on how to implement digital transformation. Data management and the digital transformation have a very close association. While people think manufacturing products is different from, office or sale operation, however it is not (Chang, 2016). The information gathered from one action in the organization lead to successful occurrence of the other operation, in other words, data from each segment of the organization is interconnected. Therefore, confidentiality is very important for Omro for data management. If their organizational data is exposed to the public through internet or violated by some malware attack, there might be a risk of losing data around the organization.

The challenge the organization might face, as an effect of digital transformation is that work in integrity and confidentiality to prevent any loss of data from the organization. It is not only vital but also essential to bring awareness about data handling among the people of the organization (Shedden, Ahmad, Smith, Tscherning & Scheepers, 2016). The term digital transformation might sound technical but it is all about the people of the organization. If the workforce of the organization is not aware about this change and about handling this change effectively, there is no benefit of implementing digital transformation in the organization. Thus, it can be observed that the sources used to create this report on Digital transformation assignment are credible.

It is very tempting to use differ software as a part of digital transformation to ease the operational around the organization and enhance its productivity as well as profitability. However, it is sometimes difficult, as the organization have to have skilled and knowledgeable people to handle this software. The current organization developed programmable logic controller, which is a part of robotics, and include some vision system and some sensor. After doing in the lab, they exhibit it to the customers that evidently increase their confidence and engagement. In addition, the proof of concept or the POC is stimulation system that shortens their time as well as the cost. This has been discussed in the Digital transformation assignment that the benefits of digital transformation are not a rapid process. It might take patience of the organization to show its results. The managing director of the organization agreed that they sometimes receive complaints about the inefficiency of the information governance from their staff. Information governance is one of the major weaknesses of the organization that might poses threat for the future. This complaint might come from any department form the organization, but most of the complaints come from the sales and service department. The market team of the organization often failed to derive the information about the time that is needed by the manufacture team to prepare a particular product. Because of this sale and the services of the organization might suffer. 

The management of the organization plays an important role in the face the challenges that the organization is suffering from. The tree key element that is needed to implement digital transformation properly in the organization is the availability of the information, integrity and the confidentiality of the gathered data. Therefore, it is very important for the management of the organization to keep constant focus on the flow of data inside and outside of the organization. Each person from each department of the organization has to understand the value of each that they are acquired. The decision of implementing ISM system in the organization for the safety and the security of the data flowing in the organization is fully understandable. After implementing, ISM strategy, three years back the risk incident associated with the organization has reduced to ISM. Along with the ISM system, the organization must have a good information governance to track the information and effective communication throughout the process. The organization has strict rules for setting their objectives based on the assessment of their strengths and weaknesses. This assessment is conducted on an annual basis. The digital transformation has brought the organization, quality in their products along with the enhanced productivity rate. The other benefits of this implementation are flexibility and adaptability.

Concisely digital transformation is the process of integrating digital technologies in every segment of the organization to improve its operations performance. There are several benefits of this like; it brings innovation and technical advancement in every aspect of the organization. Along with this, it can increase productivity as well as the profitability of the organization. As a cumulative result of these is the customer satisfaction and customer engagement increases in and organization, which ultimately results in increased profit for the organization. As per the findings obtained in the Digital transformation assignment, it can be stated that the digital transformation varies with the specific needs for the organization and their demands. Omron greatly benefited by adapting the approaches of digital transformation. It has speeded up the manufacturing process and the flexibility of the organization. The operational agility and the workforce engagement have successfully maximized. However, the organization is facing some problems with their information governance, but with time and new strategies, they will come up with it.

From the overall analysis and findings obtained in this Digital transformation assignment, it must be states that as an increasing effect of technical advancement and innovation, the digital transformation is not constant any more. It is evolving rapidly and new ideas and innovative technologies are reshaping the businesses across the glove as a part of digital transformation. Every organization should remember whatever the deficient area of business, digital transformation is more about appropriate strategies and less about technologies.

References
Cai, J., Liu, Y., Qian, Y., & Yu, M. (2015). Information asymmetry and corporate governance. Quarterly Journal of Finance, 5(03), 1550014. Digital transformation assignment Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yiming_Qian/publication/277883467_Information_Asymmetry_and_Corporate_Governance/links/55c8b50f08aea2d9bdc91935.pdf

Chang, J. F. (2016). Business process management systems: strategy and implementation. Auerbach Publications. Retrieved from: http://sutlib2.sut.ac.th/sut_contents/H97660.pdf

Hess, T., Matt, C., Benlian, A., & Wiesböck, F. (2016). Options for formulating a digital transformation strategy. MIS Quarterly Executive, 15(2). Retrieved from: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/beea/b41a637b2161552b3f112fb56df11d96c507.pdf

Kane, G. C., Palmer, D., Phillips, A. N., Kiron, D., & Buckley, N. (2015). Strategy, not technology, drives digital transformation. MIT Sloan Management Review and Deloitte University Press, 14(1-25). Retrieved from: https://kityna.ga/146142.pdf

Nambisan, S., Wright, M., & Feldman, M. (2019). The digital transformation of innovation and entrepreneurship: Progress, challenges and key themes. Research Policy, 48(8), 103773. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Satish_Nambisan/publication/332244707_The_digital_transformation_of_innovation_and_entrepreneurship_Progress_challenges_and_key_themes/links/5cc2d1bb299bf120978011dd/The-digital-transformation-of-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-Progress-challenges-and-key-themes.pdf

Rogers, D. L. (2016). The digital transformation playbook: Rethink your business for the digital age. Columbia University Press. Retrieved from: https://www.mincotur.gob.es/Publicaciones/Publicacionesperiodicas/EconomiaIndustrial/RevistaEconomiaIndustrial/409/PRIMERA%20CR%C3%8DTICA%20DE%20LIBROS.pdf

Shedden, P., Ahmad, A., Smith, W., Tscherning, H., & Scheepers, R. (2016). Asset identification in information security risk assessment: A business practice approach. Digital transformation assignment Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 39(1), 15. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Atif_Ahmad2/publication/308691012_Asset_Identification_in_Information_Security_Risk_Assessment_A_Business_Practice_Approach/links/57eb051308ae5d93a4815df5.pdf

Smallwood, R. F. (2019). Information governance: Concepts, strategies and best practices. John Wiley & Sons. Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=fCC3DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR17&dq=information+governance&ots=_wcpL15E6C&sig=mW1oq_mB2dIm1fAsR3a8mh8VzvY#v=onepage&q=information%20governance&f=false

Westerman, G., & Bonnet, D. (2015). Digital transformation assignment Revamping your business through digital transformation. MIT Sloan Management Review, 56(3), 10. Retrieved from: http://ilp.mit.edu/media/news_articles/smr/2015/56303Wx.pdf