Information Systems Management - Essay Example

Name: xxxxxxxx Tutor: xxxxxxxx Title: Information Systems Management Institution: xxxxxxxx Date: xxxxxxxx Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Question 1 3 Question 2 4 Question 3 5 Question 4 7 Bibliography 9 Question 1 Distinguish between information technology (IT) and information systems (IS)? List four organization functions that can be served by IS. Information technology is the use of computers and networks to manage data and information. This is mainly done by the use of computer software which is mainly responsible for information storage, processing, protection, transmitting and retrieving. Information systems on the other hand are the softwares and the hardwares that support data applications through collection, storage and distribution (Andriessen, 2004). Four organizational functions of IS Delivery of better results is one of the main functions of the information systems in an organization. This can be achieved by improving the accuracy and speed of processing data and thus eliminating all the errors that may lead to poor results. This can be achieved through the use of information management systems (Malik, 2007). Responding to business challenges is one of the organizational roles of information technology. In the current business world it is necessary for managers to adopt changes in order to remain relevant in the business. This will involve the establishment of new products or the modification of the existing products. This can be achieved easily by the use of information systems through the analysis of data and to identify the areas that needs change. Adding value to the organization is also a key function of information systems. Through the use of information systems, the production of the organization will improve. This is because it will take a shorter time to perform duties that will require long working hours if it were done manually. The number of people to perform the tasks will also reduce thus reducing costs. Revenue collection will also increase since information systems will enhance accuracy and transparency in the collection and use of funds (Jatinder & Sharma, 2004). Improving the decision making process is also a function of information system in an organization. This is because managers will be able to make accurate and informed decision when they have reliable sources of information which are also accurate. Information systems will always promote accurate information like the rate of sales or competition in the market and therefore this in formation will enable managers make good decision (Power, 2002), Question 2 Distinguish between Management information systems (MIS) and Decision support systems (DSS) and what are the relationships among these systems. Management information system is the processing of raw data into information for the purpose of communicating the results to the different departments within an organization for proper decision making exercise. According to Benbasat (1999), its main purpose is to improve coordination between the departments, enable easy access to data within an organization, improving organizational and departmental techniques, management of the organizational activities and to keep pace with other organizations or competitors. Decision support systems on the other hand is a computer based software that supports the organizational decision making process by compiling useful information from raw data, business models and personal business experience. This information is then transformed into a problem solving and decision making tool. The most common data being sales figures or projected revenues. These figures are the analyzed and used to make certain decisions that will promote the growth of the organization or help the organization achieve its main goals and objectives (Stair, Reynolds & Reynolds, 2009). MIS is the use of computer technology by the business people for the purpose of solving any problem that they may encounter in the process of running their business. This is achieved by the management and analysis of various data to identify a problem before looking for an appropriate solution. DSS on the other hand involves the use of computers to analyze business data and identify problems for the purpose of decision making which may not necessarily the solution to the problem. Therefore MIS is basically for problem solving and business operations while DSS is only for decision making. A DSS is also an extension of MIS. This is because the data and information that is used in the DSS is usually obtained from the MIS. The data is then used to make the appropriate and required decision that will help solve the problems that could be facing an organization (Benbasat, 1999). Question 3 You are starting a small company selling Books. Given your type of services (hand-delivering packages within a small geographical area), what would make your business an ‘e-business? In order for the business to be classified as an e-business, the use of information technology must be involved. This may include the use the internet and computers when carrying out the business activity. The business of selling books within a small geographical area will mostly involve manual activities like hand delivery since the geographical area is small. However, by performing certain processes by the use of the modern technology, the business will easily become e-business. The first step will be to establish contacts with the clients. This can be done using e-mail address. In order to maintain connection with the clients it will be necessary to be connected to them for the purpose of feedback or making orders. Giving them the email address of the company will mean that they will have to use the internet to communicate. This is one way of making the business an e-business since the internet will be the main channel of communication with the clients whenever they want two place their orders for books or simply feedback (Malik, 2007). Marketing is an important aspect for any business no mater how small. This is simply for the purpose of attracting customers by advertising the goods and services the organization offers. Currently most people including students and teachers use the social network for the purpose of learning. Since the business operates only on a small geographic area, it will be a waste of resources to advertise the products and services ion the press. The most reliable and cheap method will be using the social network. Stair, Reynolds & Reynolds (2009) point out that the advertisement will reach most of the targeted customers in the locality at a very low cost and it will enable the business to attract more clients. This method of advertisement will make the business attain the status of the e-business since the internet will be involved in the marketing process. The business will also ensure that it deals directly with the clients in areas that the email cannot be used. This will mainly involve the use of cell phones for communicating with the clients. The business will avail a direct cell phone number for the clients to use whenever they want to communicate directly with the company (Benbasat, 1999). Question 4 What is knowledge management? What types of knowledge might a company such as a taxi service have, and could a taxi service benefit from knowledge management? Knowledge management is the process of acquiring, creating, storing and distributing knowledge within an organization. The acquiring of the knowledge concerning a business enterprise my be achieved by n individual through facilitation of a company. The main objective of acquiring the knowledge is to equip individuals with both practical and theoretical skills that will enable them run their businesses effectively or gets to have more information about their area of specialization in business. According to Andriessen (2004), the knowledge may be acquired in class through training programs or practically through observing the market trend. For a business such as a taxi company, it should acquire knowledge that will enable it boost its business by attracting more customers. The knowledge includes the preferences of the people as concerned to the use of taxi as a means of transport, The possible number of clients in a region, the type of vehicles that are more comfortable with the people, peak and off-peak hours, the cost of other means of transport and the ability to sustain the business and maintain the customers. The taxi business will greatly benefit from knowledge management in various ways. Through knowledge management, the taxi company will be able to improve its ability to make decisions useful for the company. This will be possible because the company will have a clear understanding of the market and thus will be able to know the consequences of any decision made. This will also equip the organization with the knowledge of how to handle risks that may occur in the course of running the business. With the knowledge of when top management expect more customers and when there are few customers, the organization will be able to create a new business model that will best fit the organization and ensure that the company achieves high profits and eliminate losses (Power, 2002). This knowledge will also enable the company to know what is required of them by the customers and thus focus fully on how to improve their services at the best interest of the customers and the organization as a whole. The company will also be able to develop innovative and creative ideas to attract more customers due to the knowledge of the customer’s needs and the market trend (Jatinder & Sharma, 2004). Bibliography Andriessen, D., 2004, Reconciling the rigor-relevance dilemma in intellectual capital research. The Learning Organization 11 (4/5):393–401. Malik, A. G. A., 2007, Management Information Systems. New York: Firewall Media Stair, R. M., Reynolds G. & Reynolds W., 2009, Principles of Information Systems. London: Cengage Learning. Benbasat, I., 1999, Empirical research in information systems: The practice of relevance. MIS Quarterly 23 (1): 3–16.  Jatinder, G. & Sharma, S., 2004, Creating Knowledge Based Organizations. Boston: Idea Group Publishing. Power D. J., 2002, Decision support systems: concepts and resources for managers. New Jersey: Greenwood Publishing Group. Read More