The Influence of Information Technology on Organizational Performance: Case Study of Unilever Ltd, Uganda

ABSTRACT

The advent and spread of new information technology in organizations is the decades most dramatic and significant change in organizational life. Organizations all over the world have been driven to innovate and keep pace with changes in information technology in order to survive and perform in competitive markets. This imperative and impetus for performance has even become more urgent oftoday's rapid technological advances. It's not surprising therefore; organizations are at the forefront of investing in advance technology as well as adapting to technological changes to perform better. However, most organizations in Uganda, adoption to technological changes has been sparse and extremely slower which could be a major factor affecting performance of these organizations. This study was carried out with a main purpose of analyzing the effects of information technology on organization performance, Unilever Uganda limited as a case study. Analysis of findings manifest that the advent of information technology in organization has had a major effect on organization performance by instilling competitiveness in management, marketing, operations and distribution of products and delivery of services. Further the complete integration and use of automated equipments to link together individual discrete organizational operations has made information and communication technology a strategic issue for organizations. Organizations are achieving their set goals at both strategic and operation levels through sales growth, productivity, and profitability among others. It's further evident that success and performance of organizations achieved today is heavily dependent on other factors than information technology.