In this digital age, many of us interact with technology on a daily basis-while shopping at stores, using smartphones, and driving in our cars. But beyond personal use, technology is playing a critical role in business, and more organizations than ever are expanding information technology in the workplace.

Does staying ahead of the technological curve have to mean dealing with an inaccessible "black box" and relying on countless vendors and consultants to implement new programs? According to " A Philosophy for Information Technology ," the answer is decidedly "no." As a business...