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Article: Transformation of the IT function at British Petroleum. (information technology)
- Article from:
- MIS Quarterly
- Article date:
- December 1, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 University of Minnesota, MIS Research Center. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Introduction
In 1989, the information technology (IT) function of BP Exploration (BPX), the $13 billion division of British Petroleum Company that explores for and produces oil and gas, set out to transform itself in response to a severe economic environment and poor internal perceptions of IT performance. In recent memory, oil prices had reached $30 per barrel, only to collapse to $14 per barrel. John Browne, CEO of BPX, reacted by setting challenging financial targets and rebuilding a business that could survive prices of $12 per barrel and also improve margins by 50 cents per barrel. By 1991, these financial targets had been reached.
Between 1986 and 1989, ...