Final answer:
Aside from technology, a firm requires other enabling (complementary) changes to achieve business process improvements when investing in IT. This includes organizational adjustments, training, and changes in business practices to fully integrate and utilize new technological tools.
Step-by-step explanation:
In addition to technology, other enabling (complementary) changes are required in order for a firm to achieve the desired business process improvements for its IT investment. Technology encompasses all alternative methods of combining inputs to produce outputs and is utilized by a firm to find the production technology that allows it to achieve its desired level of output at the lowest cost. Making such technological changes often demands adjustments in other areas, such as organizational structures, skills, business processes, and management practices.
When a firm invests in technology, it's not just about the technological tools themselves. It involves a broader spectrum of changes. For example, introducing an automated voicemail system may require training staff to handle this system or restructuring the communication flow. Investing in a computerized recordkeeping system may necessitate reorganizing the file management processes and ensuring that the workforce is competent in using the new system. Likewise, replacing manual labor with robots will result in significant changes to operational procedures, maintenance schedules, and possibly staff roles. Therefore, technology investments need to be complemented by a suite of changes that enable the full utilization and integration of the new technology into the firm's existing processes.