This module will examine why it is critical from an organizational value perspective to integrate data, information, and knowledge and business processes within and across functional areas, and across the borders of the organization (ie.e., to customers, suppliers, and other trading partners). Participants will explore the challenges and hurdles, and mechanisms and approaches, for achieving integration using information technology. For example, we will examine how important electronic markets are to the future of business. As another illustration of the value of integration, we will explore how operations impact financing requirements, which entails reviewing how scarce financial resources are allocated within the organization.