James W. Cortada is the author of numerous books that explore the history and application of information and computing within American society. His extensive body of work delves into the evolution of the information age, examining how technology has shaped the nation's development. Through his research, Cortada provides critical insights into the profound impact of information and computing on societal and economic progress. His writing is recognized for its depth and meticulous approach to documenting this vital aspect of human history.
With good management practices firmly embedded in their manufacturing operations, cutting edge companies are looking to get the total job done, across all departments, including sales and marketing. This clear, realistic guide presents all the issues, answers, and concrete working examples needed to apply TQM to any firm's sales and marketing process. Illustrated.
This fifth annual edition of The ASTD Training and Performance Yearbook gives readers the best articles and reference information of the past year from leading training industry periodicals so that trainers can stay current with the changes and cutting-edge thinking in their field. Covering the planning, delivery, and evaluation of performance improvement and training programsplus a directory of contact information for key training industry organizations, conferences, and periodicalsthis handy yearbook packs the most important industry trends into one comprehensive guide.
History, Information Ecosystems and Infrastructures
Focusing on the concept of information ecosystems, the author explores their historical significance and relevance across various disciplines, including business and sociology. The book delves into theoretical and historiographical discussions, highlighting the value of information infrastructures. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how information shapes societal dynamics and its implications for different fields of study.
The book encourages readers to reflect on the rapid rise of computing technology and its profound impact on our lives. It prompts a critical examination of our dependency on technology and invites contemplation about the future direction of this evolution. By fostering awareness, it seeks to engage readers in a meaningful dialogue about the implications of our technological advancements.
Online Scrutiny in America, 1990-2015
The book explores the evolution of political fact-checking within the context of online scrutiny, tracing its roots back to the emergence of the public Internet in the 1990s. It delves into the historical prevalence of "fake facts" in America, examining key developments leading up to the Trump-Clinton presidential election campaigns. Through this lens, the text highlights the ongoing challenges and significance of verifying information in the digital age.
A history of one of the most influential American companies of the last century. For decades, IBM shaped the way the world did business. IBM products were in every large organization, and IBM corporate culture established a management style that was imitated by companies around the globe. It was "Big Blue," an icon. And yet over the years, IBM has gone through both failure and success, surviving flatlining revenue and forced reinvention. The company almost went out of business in the early 1990s, then came back strong with new business strategies and an emphasis on artificial intelligence. In this authoritative, monumental history, James Cortada tells the story of one of the most influential American companies of the last century.Cortada, a historian who worked at IBM for many years, describes IBM's technology breakthroughs, including the development of the punch card (used for automatic tabulation in the 1890 census), the calculation and printing of the first Social Security checks in the 1930s, the introduction of the PC to a mass audience in the 1980s, and the company's shift in focus from hardware to software. He discusses IBM's business culture and its orientation toward employees and customers; its global expansion; regulatory and legal issues, including antitrust litigation; and the track records of its CEOs. The secret to IBM's unequalled longevity in the information technology market, Cortada shows, is its capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and technologies.
In an era dominated by the latest gadgets and tech expansions, we may overlook a significant shift: the transformation of entire firms and industries into vast information-processing entities. Currently, over eighty percent of workers engage in collecting and analyzing information, primarily in digital formats, as part of their roles. This guide explores the pivotal role of information in contemporary business, detailing its application in work processes and tracing its flow through supply-chain management, product development, customer relations, and sales. Focusing on information rather than technology, the author—a seasoned IBM manager and consultant—distinguishes between data, facts, information, and knowledge. He illustrates how analytics have replaced intuition-driven decision-making with fact-based approaches. The book also highlights the working style of "road warriors," who operate from anywhere with their laptops and cell phones, using their expertise as a valuable currency. Ultimately, information is the essence of the modern enterprise, shaping its activities. This guide equips managers and employees with strategies to effectively leverage information, emphasizing intentional design over chance.
