Components of a Business:
A business consists of several elements that help it function efficiently and within the boundaries of the law while developing a strategic business plan. Complementary to the core functions like HR, these include ensuring all regulations are complied with and all risks are identified and mitigated; Internal Auditing-assesses financial and operational efficiency; Technical Support staff and customers in all matters related to information technology; Knowledge Management-sharing information throughout the business; and Policies and Procedures-consistency and compliance. The Supply Chain Management manages procurements and logistics, while the Public Relations (PR) manages the corporate image and communication, and the Vendor Management manages suppliers. These pieces fit into the structure of an organization in that they support the operations, governance, and external relations.
Where Does IT Fit in an Organization?
IT is a support function, crossing different departments such as Operations for security and infrastructure, Finance for data analytics and compliance, HR for employee management systems, and Customer Service for CRM tools. These business components fit within an organization by supporting core functions such as operations, compliance, and external relations. Policies and Procedures ensure that all regulations are followed; Internal Auditing reviews processes related to finance and operations, mostly under the umbrella of finance or compliance; Technical Support is under IT and supports employees and customers in using technology For example in Floridi’s “The Onlife Manifesto,” Floridi explains “As already mentioned, the patient’s associations take advantage of the web to increase their influence and to disseminate information to their participants.
Since the web allows the direct mobilization of the people, it certainly leads patient’s association to increase their influence” (Floridi, 2015, p. 78); Knowledge Management and Policies and Procedures assist in consistency and information flow between departments. Supply Chain Management will handle the procurement and logistics, while PR handles the firm’s image, usually under marketing. Lastly, Vendor Management under procurement will look into the suppliers’ relationships and contracts. Each of these parts adds to the efficiency, governance, and, finally, the success of a business.
Roles & Responsibilities Within IT:
The roles involved in IT range from the Help Desk Support, who solves the current technical problems for users; to the Network Administrators, who ensure the security and integrity of all data; to the Software Developers creating and updating applications; Cybersecurity Specialists for threat protection on systems; Data Analysts support the business.
How Should IT Be Organized?
IT can be arranged in various ways: Centralized IT, where the whole company is served by one department; Decentralized IT, where teams operate within different departments; and Hybrid IT, a mix of both models. The choice depends on business needs, scalability, and efficiency.
Conclusion:
A well-structured business depends on multiple components, including efficiency and compliance concerning strategic growth. The Internal organizational factors influencing ICT adoption for sustainable growth exclaims, “Organizations today depend increasingly on the effective adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to ensure sustainable growth in a competitive global landscape” (Harmse, et al., 2024, p. 1). Legal compliance and internal auditing, supply chain management, and public relations have been the varied departments that functionally support a company’s holistic operations and governance.
IT acts as a quintessential support function that cuts through different departments; thus, some of the common services include security, infrastructure, data analytics, and customer relationship management. IT professionals ensure the continuity of business and its security through every aspect of help desk support to cybersecurity. Whether the IT organization is centralized, decentralized, or hybrid is defined by what best fits a company’s needs and scalability goals. It is the integration of these elements, along with their alignment, which dictates if a business operates as efficiently as its challenges allow for long-term success.
References
Floridi, L. (2015). The Onlife Manifesto: Being Human in a Hyperconnected Era (2015th ed.). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04093-6
Harmse, A., Oyetade, K., & Zuva, T. (2024). Internal organizational factors influencing ICT adoption for sustainable growth. DISCOVER GLOBAL SOCIETY, 2(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44282-024-00136-7