Information Systems for Management (MGSC 3101)
Instructor:
Dr. Princely Ifinedo
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What is MIS?
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Management information systems (MIS) is a general name for
the academic discipline covering the use of procedures and
technologies by people with the view to solving business
problems.
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Began in the mid 1960s and consolidated in the early 1980s
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It is concerned with the application of the knowledge of
information systems and technology to help organizations
compete more successfully in the marketplace
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Is MIS the same as computer science?
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An MIS professional at work
A computer scientist in his world
Figure 1. Illustrating the difference between MIS professionals and
computer scientists
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What is MIS? (Cont.)
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MIS has its roots in the Management Departments of Business
Schools. It deals with the application of IT to solving organizational
and managerial needs.
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Computer science grew out of the of mathematics and
electrical/electronics engineering disciplines. It focuses on the
development of software programs and applications.
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Key Terms
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Information technology (IT) – can be described as the
application of technological knowledge to any aspect
of generating, manipulating, and communicating
information. (Narrow definition of IT refers to the
technical aspect of information systems).
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The term is used as a synonym for computers and computer
networks, but it also covers other information distribution
technologies such as television and telephones. Several
industries are associated with information technology, such as
computer hardware, software, electronics, semiconductors,
internet, telecom equipment and computer services.
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Key Terms
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An information system (IS) refers to a set of
interrelated components that collect (retrieve),
process, store, and distribute information to support
decision making and control in an organization.
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IS bridges business and computer science using the
theoretical foundations of information and
computation to study various business models and
related algorithmic processes within a computer
science discipline.
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Examples of MIS used in organizations
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CRM
ERP
BI Systems
DATA WAREHOUSE
SCM
DSS
ESS (EIS)
BPM
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Key Concepts
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Data – streams of raw facts representing events in the organization or in the
external environment
Information – data that have been shaped into meaningful forms
Input – the capture or collection of raw data from the organization or the
external environment
Processing – the conversion, manipulation, and analysis of raw input into a
form that is more meaningful to humans
Output – the distribution of processed information to people who will use it or
the activities for which it will be used
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Benefits of IS to the Organization
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Offers new services (e.g. ATMs allow banks to offer round-the-clock
service)
Improved efficiency - Products and services can be produced
cheaply (e.g. CAM)
Improved decision making - (e.g. the use of enterprise systems,
ERP in organizations)
IS means expanded e-commerce / e-business (e.g. Barnes and
Noble)
An investment in IS can support a core competency (e.g. SABRE)
IS supports distribution channel management (e.g. UPS)
Synergistic information systems (e.g. EDI)
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Why Study MIS?
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MIS is a business function, similar to Accounting, Finance,
Marketing, Operations Management, and Human Resources
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You must be IS literate to succeed in an organization today
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MIS skills enable you to think critically and solve business problems
using IT
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You signal to potential employer that you have an understanding of
how IS can be used to meet organizational objectives and goals
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MIS opens new doors for business graduates (positions as
IS/business analysts, IS coordinators, E-commerce consultants, IT
specialists, etc).
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