Tracing of information links empirically (TILE) in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)

Information systems (ISs) are at the heart of any responsive organisation. However current tools and techniques of evaluation and design of ISs are not well suited to the needs of small and medium sized companies, and the achievement of their strategic, commercial and operational goals, and perhaps not even to those of larger organisations. The failure rate in the use of many computer‐based systems is very high especially in manufacturing organisations. This suggests that a new and simpler technique is required to lay down the foundation for an IS at an early stage in the development of a company. This system must be capable of being applied by non‐specialist managers but nevertheless be one that incorporates all of the elements of information, in circumstances which may be a mix of technology‐based and manual systems. This paper proposes the design of a simple audit tool that may be used in any area of a company’s organisation to aid in the evaluation, planning and design of holistic ISs in SMEs.