How information technology shapes strategy in the steel industry: A Case Study of British Steel

This paper investigates the impact of information technology (IT) on the strategic management of British Steel. The purpose of the study is to establish whether the implementation of technological changes in the steel industry in Britain is as a result of a deliberate strategy or in response to competitive forces. The reasons for making these changes, how they are implemented and evaluated are examined including factors such as the impact on the organization and the resistance to change. The paper is divided into two sections; comparing and contrasting British Steel's IT strategy with that of one of its subsidiaries, British Steel Distribution. The conclusion is that competitive forces have an impact on both the IT strategy of these organizations and the way that IT is used to shape the overall strategy.