IBM Case

Explain what global forces drive IBM to become a global integrated enterprise3

Explain how IBM has adapted thus far (what IBM did and how IBM did it)5

Discuss what skills should global leaders have5

Decision making foundations and the managerial decision making process6

References8

IBM Case

Explain what global forces drive IBM to become a global integrated enterprise

Effective identity management is becoming a critical issue with governments worldwide as more and more people travel and seek access to services on a daily basis. Questions surrounding the integrity of identity documentation, as well as the lack of consistent and effective means for nations to exchange identity information, often leave gaps that can be exploited by criminals, organized crime syndicates and terrorists. Governments should move immediately to develop and implement improved identity management solutions that enable quick and accurate identity information exchange, while protecting individual privacy rights and civil liberties (Landy 2012).

Balancing the growth in global travel against the escalating threat of identity fraud, illegal immigration, international crime and global terrorism has driven many nations to invest in measures to improve identity management. The increasing demands of globalization - in which products and services, and the people who provide them, must move expeditiously across international borders - have prompted a closer examination of the effectiveness of some of these programs. Many governments have invested in “smarter” drivers' licenses, passports, automated border control systems and visas, resulting in more secure forms of identification, but have often done so without much consideration for their impact on a nation's overall identity strategy (Royal Aeronautical Society 2012).

Additionally, identity management programs ideally include safeguards for public health and safety - as well as creating mechanisms for enhanced government services and the preservation of individual liberties, such as privacy and individual data security. But in reality, many governments are finding their programs ill-equipped to provide the various protections and services for which they were supposedly designed (Tyson 2007).

Despite significant strides in improving and standardizing identification documentation, governments today still have difficulty ascertaining the true identities and legitimacy of those who hold these documents. Political concerns, organizational inefficiency, privacy and legal issues, and legacy technology systems all impede the effectiveness and efficiency of identity management programs. As well, many of these programs lack a cohesive structure and face challenges in collaboration and communications - both internally and internationally. In the absence of a comprehensive national strategy, governments also cannot be certain the identity data entrusted to their care is either secure or private (Kanter 2009).

Based on recent research conducted by IBM, we believe it is time for both governments and the private sector throughout the world to take a new look at identity management and explore ways to facilitate communication and collaboration among government, industry and society. Our findings tell us that maintenance of the status quo - taking no action to address the shortcomings and gaps in various disharmonized national identity management programs - creates increased risk and exposure to international crime, identity fraud and illegal immigration (Landy ...