Contextual Evolution of Management Information Systems - Coursework Example

Management Information Systems (2425) Assignment 2 Part B Assignment Coversheet Student Name Student ID Student Declaration: I certify that the attached assignment is my own work. Material drawn from other sources has been appropriately and fully acknowledged as regards to the author/creator, source, and other bibliographic details. Management Information Systems Introduction Management Information Systems (MIS) entail the study of corporations, individuals, and technology as independent entities and how the three relate to each other. The skills and know-how held by MIS specialists enable firms to achieve maximum remuneration from equipment, business approaches, and personnel. In this respect, MIS is a field that targets business ventures by delivering high-quality services by the use of technology. Business ventures require technological applications in most of the operations they undertake, which include collection, dissemination, and storage of data. Management information systems enable the conversion of data into information for the execution of business activities. Consequently, every employee in a given business venture utilizes the information systems. The success of a business highly depends on the alignment of its management information systems (Heijden 2009). MIS specialists avail systems of information for the management of data. This involves searching, analyzing, and storing of data. Additionally, they design and manage diverse forms of information systems to convene the expectations of customers, subordinates, and managers. By working together with customers and staff members, the MIS specialists create a serene environment that keeps the information safe. Programming plays an important role in designing these operational systems. The public lacks a source to get the meaning of management information systems, as many misconceptions exist, mistaking them for other computer programs (Bocchino 1972). This research focuses on the need to critical analyze the composition, trends, and applications of MIS in various business ventures. Contextual Evolution of MIS According to Oz (2009), MIS evolved stepwise over a long period. It aggregates complex facets of the functions of an organization. It forms a pillar of all organizational operations and processes. Initially, the MIS concept involved dissemination of data into information in a given organization; afterward, it was able to publish information at constant intervals in the form of reports. It then acquired the capability to collect and process data. In relation to performance, it was more complicated and remote that it forced individuals to hand-pick the appropriate disseminated data for various applications. The emergence of the difference between data and information modified the formality of management information systems. In this context, information results after the processing of the collected data. The organizational operations depend on information, but not the data. For that reason, data manipulation yields different information for different processes. The data manipulation process sometimes requires personal oriented approaches to ensure the achievement of information variability. With time, the personal aspect transformed further to adopt a design or outline that creates an impact on the consumer and which either provokes research or decision making. However, later on it was necessary to adopt an approach that necessitated reporting and analysis of data. That is how the approach of reporting with exceptions emerged in MIS. It became the norm in the operational functions of the organizations. After sometime, a transformation was necessary to meet the struggles experienced by the management of the organizations (Carey 1988). The system adopted a necessity-based exceptional coverage. It is evident that this particular approach entailed either an individual or group analyses. Consequently, the mode of storing data allowed access to everybody with intent to use it in a way that suits the situation. It gave rise to the MIS database that proved efficient and effective. As the new business environment implemented MIS applications, the interface consumer computing that employed multiple databases materialized. The concept initiated a decentralized system in MIS where the benefactor of the information operates independent of computer specialists. Finally, the MIS field of study inculcated into a decision making structure. The computer specialists deal in the management of information resources while disseminating the information required by the user. The modern context of MIS incorporates the system of managing the databases to meet the end user’s desire of making varied decisions. It highly regards the capability of the end user to use the available information. In essence, management information systems avail information via data analysis procedures (Oz 2009). This depends on the various academic concepts in the analysis process, which include theories, concepts, and principles of Human Behaviour, Sociology, and Psychology. The main purpose of academic sources is to design management information systems in a way that ensures appropriate decision making in an organization. Management information systems concretely depend on the systems theory that aids in designing an interface that handles the complexity of input and output information traffic. The theory tunes the MIS to meet the organizational demands. It is a Mixture of theories and principles of management, systems, and information. In the formal sector, it adopts a multi-discipline outlook of management. Its dynamic nature allows transitional changes and modifications on the system to suit specific information demands (Boddy, Boonstra & Kennedy 2008). Two systems may relate in terms of the model level, but vary sharply on contextual applications. It is clear that management information systems submit to the changes that emerge from the transformation of organization management processes and time. For that reason, for a management information system to materialize, it has to interact with both the business governing procedure and avail the corrective measure of both its internal and external operations of the venture. For that reason, it is correct to state that management information systems are in charge of business evolution and decision making processes (Piercy, 1987). Computers and Management Information Systems The use of computers in management information systems forms the basis of the whole field. It is technically impossible to translate MIS concepts without a computer. Additionally, it depends on both the software and hardware components of the computer. It is clear that the computer necessitates the dissemination of data and retrieval of information without any obstacles and limits. The hardware specification portrays the size of database handled by a given organization. The versatility of the computer hardware and software makes it possible for a given organization to adopt a system that best fits its requirements. The capabilities of computers in MIS applications are beyond individualistic anticipations. A computer is capable of storing a large amount of data in its hard disk. Additionally, it can process the data at an advanced speed; consequently, it easily reduces data workload for the employees (Shajahan & Priyadharshini 2004).  A computerized MIS ensures that access and storage of data is effective, reliable, and efficient. It deals with the distance barrier obstacle by utilizing satellite connections to relay any data and information from any corner of the earth. It can arrange and combine data in a particular order to enable the assembly of comprehensive unlimited computations. The user benefits from the computer’s ability to present information in a user friendly way by the manipulation of digital, visual, vocal, textual, graphical, or word images. The computer ultimately provides security to the data stored in it. It builds users’ confidence in management information systems in terms of remote data management. This is because the storage occurs on a magnetic interface. It provides different forms of storage such as ‘read only’, which does not allow deletion of stored data. It provides a password access to the stored data preventing manipulation of the data by unauthorized personnel (Lucey 2004).  All these hardware capabilities encourage MIS professionals to utilize computers in an organizational setting. The software serves an important component in enhancing the capabilities of computer hardware. It makes it possible for the system to handle both technical and nontechnical data manipulations. In addition, it necessitates the passage of data from one computer to another via internet and intranet connections. For that reason, it is practical to state that the software plays a major role in designing elastic management information systems. With the advances in computer technology, the processes of data handling are faster, easier, and reliable irrespective of either the data volume or distance. Nowadays, it is possible to design management information systems that fit a particular situation and concurrently incorporate a flexible and accessible information system. It saves the organization the costs and time incurred in the maintenance and development of labour (Boddy, Boonstra & Kennedy 2008). Roles and Impacts of Management Information Systems A management information system plays a crucial part in an organization, which relate to the functions of the heart in the human body. The flow of information is vital for the performance of the former. It establishes an appropriate method of data collection, dissemination, and storage. It controls the information requirements of a given business. It satisfies the various requirements via application of differential system set-ups that include analytical systems, dissemination systems, and decision making systems. Consequently, it plays an important role in premeditated management, functional control, processing of transactions, and specific planning. The various roles played by management information systems in the business have an impact on its output, utility, and performance. The impact on utility occurs at the management level; it enables the management to focus on result driven ventures with good control of finances, personnel, and production procedures. In the process, it eases the tracking and scrutinizing of result-driven targets. In addition, it helps in foretelling the future prospects and trends in the world of business. This is extremely important in an organization, especially for long-term planning process. The management transforms into a state of an informed decision making process. An equipped and capable information system outlet in any given organization provides a rich database of knowledge for all employees. The second impact of management information systems is that it affects the understanding of the operational functions of a given business. It starts by defining the concepts and attributes of data as an independent entity. The process involves the combination of data dictionaries, attributes, and entities (Schniederjans et al. 2007). Subsequently, management information systems make it possible for the generation of information from the data. The initiation of the dictionary in the system converts all the information into a standard set of understandable terminologies. For this reason, it results in information clarity that eases the communication process in an organization. Finally, the impact created by management information systems systematizes the operations of the business to implant an effective and efficient system plan in an organization. It disposes variable tools of design to the management in the process of making vital decisions in the organization. The tools include modelling and experimenting exercises that are present in a computer and absent in manual approaches. Consequently, computer packages make everything easier and simpler. Management information systems positively impact the performance and decision making process of a company’s management. The integration of management information systems functions into computers, exempts them from much work, which creates space for good thinking. A recent study reveals that human thinking plays a vital role in the success of any organization. An individual spends much time, about 75% of their time, researching, recording, disseminating, and communicating in the organization. For that reason, management information systems create a culture that is rich in information to ease the above stated processes (Bocchino 1972). The foundation of management information systems relies on the merge of various disciplines. The management theory defines the operation of management information systems. The theory comes from different fields of Human Behaviour, Psychology, and Social science. The design of management information systems relies on the theory of structural behaviour. The human mind occupies a centre-stage in the processing the information. The format and design of the report considers the manager’s behaviour as a person in a given faction. It takes into consideration the individualistic characteristics such as biases, strengths and weakness, risk hatred, and fixed thinking framework. Another area of academics that plays an important part is functioning research. The area of study helps in the design of management models that play an important role in management information systems as tools for resolution prop up systems (Piercy, 1987). The accounting applications employ various principles in correcting and validating data. Consequently, management information systems apply a similar approach in the management of data. In addition, the communication theory helps in the design of analytical programs. An end user in management information systems refers to anyone using them. The operation of end users exists in a hierarchical order. Each has a part to play in the management of the business and that is why management information systems benefit everyone in the organization. For instance, the clerk’s work is to dig for particular data, derive a statement from it, and submit it to a higher rank. The same applies to different individuals in the organization. Management information systems serve the whole lot by providing the means and amenities to decipher data and report it in an appropriate format. Management information systems ensure that the organization equips itself with good organizing, planning, staffing, coordinating, and controlling tools to meet the businesses goals. The changes impacted by management information systems on the management focuses on its organizing, controlling, and planning processes. In planning, management information systems need to correspond with the strategies and aims of the business. Secondly, the organization requires an organized approach in information analysis. This directly links the organizational role of the management to management information systems. The manager is responsible for ensuring that the MIS adopted by the organization befits its purpose. In this regard, the selected management information systems must adapt to the characteristics of the organizational environment. The objective of this critical research determines the structural organization and trending factors relating to management information systems. There has been a lot of progress in the management information systems field, which is associated to advancements in technology. It is clear that the management plays an important part in the operation of a business, especially as a support for effective management information systems. All the five requirements that characterize management require stepwise execution. Management information systems avail information that supports the decision making process in an organization. This ensures that the goals of the business are met. In addition, the process of making a given decision is flexible; as a result, management information systems must support the hierarchical arrangement of the organization. It is necessary to note that management information systems form the foundation of the administration of any organization. Consequently, if they fail to assume their function as the management’s main support tools, they cease being important parts of the organization. They enable the management to handle a large amount of information for purposes of execution (Gupta 2011). Conclusion Management information systems, through the control system, relay the information back to the management for action and investigations. The effective and efficient management information systems lie on a strong information resource. On the other hand, the management’s performance improves whenever the uncertainties and risks of a business venture are handled. Management information systems compensate for the inadequacy of know-how, experience, and analytical capabilities. Later, they lead to the success of the business. Finally, to establish a competent information aid, the organization needs to adopt a system that generates information that is crucial for its operations. In addition, the information obtained needs to suit the manager, otherwise it should undergo refurbishment. Bibliography Bocchino, WA 1972, Management information systems; tools and techniques, Prentice-Hall Englewood Cliffs, N.J. Boddy, D, Boonstra, A & Kennedy, G 2008, Managing information systems: strategy and organisation, Prentice Hall/Financial Times, Harlow, England. Carey, JM 1988, Human factors in management information systems, Ablex Publication Corporation, Norwood, N.J. Gupta, H 2011, Management information system: (an insight), International Book House, New Delhi. Lucey, T 2004, Management information systems, Thomson Learning, London. Oz, E 2009, Management information systems, Thomson/Course Technology, Boston, MA. Piercy, N 1987, Management information systems: The technology challenge, Croom Helm, London. Schniederjans, MJ, Schniederjans, AM & Schniederjans, DG 2007, Outsourcing management information systems, Idea Group Publishers, Hershey, PA. Shajahan, S & Priyadharshini, R 2004, Management information systems, New Age International, New Delhi. Van Der Heijden, JGM 2009, Designing management information systems, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Read More