Engineering Change in Mexico: The Adoption of Computer Technology at Grupo ICA (1965-1971)

Bernardo Batiz-Lazo and Thomas Haigh

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: This article documents the adoption of computer technology by a civil engineering services and construction company in Mexico at the time that it became the first Mexican multinational enterprise. Computerization took place independently of cross border growth. The challenges, failures and successes of computerization attest to the transformation in the use of computer applications from the mechanization of routine procedures to the creative use of these applications. In line with company policy, the latter lead to the establishment of the computer centre as a standalone, profit generating business unit. However, this policy responded to ‘laissez faire’ and fiscal (i.e. minimizing tax payments) rather than strategic considerations. To little surprise computer services never grew to be a significant income stream.

Keywords: Computer centers; History; Data processing; Computer integrated engineering; Mexico (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N66 N76 N8 N86 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his and nep-ict
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pra:mprapa:20339

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