Performance Management

Wholefood Stores is a well-established chain of supermarkets here in Jamaica. There are five stores in the chain, two in Kingston, and the others in Montego Bay, Mandeville, and Ocho Rios. Each store operates as an autonomous business unit that reports back to the Head Office in Kingston.

As a result of the autonomous management arrangement, there are inconsistencies in policies regarding staff compensation, ad hoc pricing of goods, procurement inefficiencies, and poor communication flow between stores.

The management team at the Head Office is considering an upgrade to the existing computer system to one that is fully networked to link all databases onto one server at the Head Office. The managers of the various stores are more skeptical and are reluctant to consider enhancing the system.

1. Considering the inconsistencies mentioned, discuss five issues involved in upgrading the existing information system with reference to the business environment and the decision- making process.