The chapters in this document are displayed in reversed order, with the last chapter appearing
first. This change ensures all chapters are included in the Manuals.
End of Chapters Answers Included | Case Studies Answers Included | Chapter Summaries Included
Chapter 15 – Instructor Manual
Chapter
This Summary
chapter explores the critical role that information systems play in supporting
organizations as they expand and operate across national borders. It begins by examining
the global environment that has enabled the rise of multinational business—namely,
changes in technology, trade policy, and cultural dynamics leading to global markets and
global production networks. Next, the chapter discusses how to design an effective
international information systems architecture that accounts for different corporate
strategies, organizational structures, and diverse cultural, legal, and political conditions. A
key emphasis is on identifying which systems and business processes require uniformity
across all locations, and which can be adapted to local needs. The chapter also highlights
the challenges that managers face—such as dealing with fragmented legacy systems and
overcoming local resistance—and strategies to address them. Finally, it looks at the
technological issues involved in building global systems, including hardware choices,
connectivity, security, software localization, and cloud platforms. By understanding these
elements, organizations can better harness technology to support global growth,
coordination, and competitiveness.
Learning Objectives
These are the chapter objectives:
15.1 Discuss factors impacting development of global information systems.
15.2 Discuss how to develop effective global information systems architecture.
15.3 Discuss strategies and organizational structures for global businesses and
information systems.
15.4 Discuss management challenges in developing global information systems.
15.5 Discuss management solutions for global information systems development
challenges.
Copyright © 2026
,15.6 Discuss technology issues and alternatives in developing global information systems.
15.7 Understand how the information in this chapter can help your career.
MIS Headline Article (eText Only)
Each chapter opens with an MIS Headline Article that is Updated monthly during the
semester to keep your course content current and relevant. Use the article to:
• Start a lecture.
• Engage students to demonstrate how what they are learning applies to what's
happening today.
• Use the provided discussion questions in class.
MyLab MIS
If you are using the MyLab, you can assign the Chapter Reading Assignment. This includes
each learning objective Broken into a reading activity followed by a question to be
answered. The full activity is scored in the gradebook. You can remove learning objectives
you don't plan to cover, and the questions related to them will be removed from the overall
score.
Dirt Bikes Running Case
The Dirt Bikes Running Case is used throughout the text. Data files related to this case can
be found at https://www.pearson.com/laudon.
Copyright © 2026
,Key Points to Cover
Below are the primary [H1] sections in the chapter, each aligned with the corresponding
Learning Objective. Under each heading, you’ll find 3–5 major points an instructor may
wish to cover.
15.1 Discuss Factors Impacting Development of Global Information
Systems
• Emphasize how global communications technology and changes in national trade
policies have facilitated cross-border trade and the rise of multinational enterprise.
• Explore “global business drivers” such as global markets, global production
operations, and economies of scale that push firms to integrate internationally.
• Highlight the cultural, social, and political/legal challenges (e.g., data privacy laws
and language barriers) that impede the straightforward adoption of global systems.
• Note recent trends of “deglobalization” and “regionalization,” underlining how
external shocks can alter a company’s approach to global markets.
15.2 Discuss How to Develop Effective Global Information Systems
Architecture
• Define the concept of “international information systems architecture,” focusing on
the coordination of global trade, production, and managerial control.
• Stress the importance of examining the global environment, corporate strategies,
and organizational structure before selecting any specific technology.
• Show how strategic planning and organizational design inform the choice of
technology platforms, including networks, hardware, and software.
• Highlight the significance of aligning the architecture with both central control and
local autonomy.
15.3 Discuss Strategies and Organizational Structures for Global
Businesses and Information Systems
• Compare four basic global business strategies: domestic exporter, multinational,
franchiser, and transnational.
• Demonstrate how each strategy leads to different approaches to systems
development: centralized, duplicated, decentralized, or networked.
Copyright © 2026
, • Discuss why transnational organizations often require coordinated systems that
balance global efficiency with local responsiveness.
• Guide learners on linking business strategies to the design and configuration of
information systems in an international setting.
15.4 Discuss Management Challenges in Developing Global Information
Systems
• Examine how cultural, political, and language diversity complicate the creation of
uniform global systems.
• Explore the problems arising from fragmented legacy systems that have evolved
piecemeal across distinct locations.
• Address the complexities of gaining consensus on user requirements and
standardizing business processes globally.
• Warn about conflicting local incentives and how they can undermine central efforts
to implement unified solutions.
15.5 Discuss Management Solutions for Global Information Systems
Development Challenges
• Describe how to identify and focus on “core systems” that truly need to be
standardized across the enterprise.
• Illustrate how clearly defining core, regional, and local business processes can help
prioritize systems development.
• Review strategies for involving diverse local units in design processes—a tactic
often described as “co-optation.”
• Emphasize the evolutionary approach (“one slice at a time”) to implementing global
systems, rather than attempting a sweeping “grand design.”
15.6 Discuss Technology Issues and Alternatives in Developing Global
Information Systems
• Note the importance of hardware and software integration when bridging multiple
operating units on different platforms.
• Highlight connectivity challenges, especially managing service levels, network
security, and reliability of Internet-based communication in varied regions.
Copyright © 2026
first. This change ensures all chapters are included in the Manuals.
End of Chapters Answers Included | Case Studies Answers Included | Chapter Summaries Included
Chapter 15 – Instructor Manual
Chapter
This Summary
chapter explores the critical role that information systems play in supporting
organizations as they expand and operate across national borders. It begins by examining
the global environment that has enabled the rise of multinational business—namely,
changes in technology, trade policy, and cultural dynamics leading to global markets and
global production networks. Next, the chapter discusses how to design an effective
international information systems architecture that accounts for different corporate
strategies, organizational structures, and diverse cultural, legal, and political conditions. A
key emphasis is on identifying which systems and business processes require uniformity
across all locations, and which can be adapted to local needs. The chapter also highlights
the challenges that managers face—such as dealing with fragmented legacy systems and
overcoming local resistance—and strategies to address them. Finally, it looks at the
technological issues involved in building global systems, including hardware choices,
connectivity, security, software localization, and cloud platforms. By understanding these
elements, organizations can better harness technology to support global growth,
coordination, and competitiveness.
Learning Objectives
These are the chapter objectives:
15.1 Discuss factors impacting development of global information systems.
15.2 Discuss how to develop effective global information systems architecture.
15.3 Discuss strategies and organizational structures for global businesses and
information systems.
15.4 Discuss management challenges in developing global information systems.
15.5 Discuss management solutions for global information systems development
challenges.
Copyright © 2026
,15.6 Discuss technology issues and alternatives in developing global information systems.
15.7 Understand how the information in this chapter can help your career.
MIS Headline Article (eText Only)
Each chapter opens with an MIS Headline Article that is Updated monthly during the
semester to keep your course content current and relevant. Use the article to:
• Start a lecture.
• Engage students to demonstrate how what they are learning applies to what's
happening today.
• Use the provided discussion questions in class.
MyLab MIS
If you are using the MyLab, you can assign the Chapter Reading Assignment. This includes
each learning objective Broken into a reading activity followed by a question to be
answered. The full activity is scored in the gradebook. You can remove learning objectives
you don't plan to cover, and the questions related to them will be removed from the overall
score.
Dirt Bikes Running Case
The Dirt Bikes Running Case is used throughout the text. Data files related to this case can
be found at https://www.pearson.com/laudon.
Copyright © 2026
,Key Points to Cover
Below are the primary [H1] sections in the chapter, each aligned with the corresponding
Learning Objective. Under each heading, you’ll find 3–5 major points an instructor may
wish to cover.
15.1 Discuss Factors Impacting Development of Global Information
Systems
• Emphasize how global communications technology and changes in national trade
policies have facilitated cross-border trade and the rise of multinational enterprise.
• Explore “global business drivers” such as global markets, global production
operations, and economies of scale that push firms to integrate internationally.
• Highlight the cultural, social, and political/legal challenges (e.g., data privacy laws
and language barriers) that impede the straightforward adoption of global systems.
• Note recent trends of “deglobalization” and “regionalization,” underlining how
external shocks can alter a company’s approach to global markets.
15.2 Discuss How to Develop Effective Global Information Systems
Architecture
• Define the concept of “international information systems architecture,” focusing on
the coordination of global trade, production, and managerial control.
• Stress the importance of examining the global environment, corporate strategies,
and organizational structure before selecting any specific technology.
• Show how strategic planning and organizational design inform the choice of
technology platforms, including networks, hardware, and software.
• Highlight the significance of aligning the architecture with both central control and
local autonomy.
15.3 Discuss Strategies and Organizational Structures for Global
Businesses and Information Systems
• Compare four basic global business strategies: domestic exporter, multinational,
franchiser, and transnational.
• Demonstrate how each strategy leads to different approaches to systems
development: centralized, duplicated, decentralized, or networked.
Copyright © 2026
, • Discuss why transnational organizations often require coordinated systems that
balance global efficiency with local responsiveness.
• Guide learners on linking business strategies to the design and configuration of
information systems in an international setting.
15.4 Discuss Management Challenges in Developing Global Information
Systems
• Examine how cultural, political, and language diversity complicate the creation of
uniform global systems.
• Explore the problems arising from fragmented legacy systems that have evolved
piecemeal across distinct locations.
• Address the complexities of gaining consensus on user requirements and
standardizing business processes globally.
• Warn about conflicting local incentives and how they can undermine central efforts
to implement unified solutions.
15.5 Discuss Management Solutions for Global Information Systems
Development Challenges
• Describe how to identify and focus on “core systems” that truly need to be
standardized across the enterprise.
• Illustrate how clearly defining core, regional, and local business processes can help
prioritize systems development.
• Review strategies for involving diverse local units in design processes—a tactic
often described as “co-optation.”
• Emphasize the evolutionary approach (“one slice at a time”) to implementing global
systems, rather than attempting a sweeping “grand design.”
15.6 Discuss Technology Issues and Alternatives in Developing Global
Information Systems
• Note the importance of hardware and software integration when bridging multiple
operating units on different platforms.
• Highlight connectivity challenges, especially managing service levels, network
security, and reliability of Internet-based communication in varied regions.
Copyright © 2026
