Information Systems: A Framework for Success

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Information SystemsA Framework for
Success
Uma Gupta Introduction to Information Systems
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Learning Objectives

• After studying this chapter, you will be able to
• Explain the two meanings of information systems
• Describe a systems characteristics and
  components
• Outline how data becomes information and the
  characteristics of information
• Summarize the effect of information systems on
  decision making
• Discuss the opportunities and challenges of
  information systems

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Outline-1

• The field of IS
• IS Knowledge and skills
• IS Carreers
• IS Systems that deliver information
• What is a system?
• System components
• Characteristics of open systems
• What is information
• Relationship between IS and Tech.
• IS vs. IT
• Right fit between IT and IS

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Outline-2

• IS and Decision Making
• Structured and unstructured decisions and IS
• Individual, group, and organizational decisions
• IS opportunities and challenges
• Business Guidelines for IS success

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Field of Information Systems

• The study of information and its effect on the
  individual, the organization, and society at
  large.

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Field of Information Systems-1
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Information System

• A system that creates, processes, stores, and
  generates information to help individuals make
  meaningful decisions.

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Information System Knowledge and Skills

• Technical Knowledge and Skills
• A good grasp of technology is essential
• IS professionals must continually learn about
  technological changes or they will be left behind
• Business Knowledge and Problem Solving Skills
• IS professionals need sufficient knowledge of the
  business to make technology decisions that solve
  business problems
• Information literacya big picture view of how
  decisions made in one area of a business can
  influence the performance of another

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Information System Knowledge and Skills (cont.)

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• IS specialists must be able to communicate
  difficult technical concepts clearly to people
  with varying levels of expertise and interest
• Teamwork and Project Management
• Project management requires both the technical
  knowledge to develop and monitor a product and
  the ability to manage a group of creative
  individuals
• Good project managers are in high demand in the
  IS field

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Information System Knowledge and Skills (cont.)

• Ethical Sensitivity
• As technology advances, new ethical issues arise,
  so business people must respond to these concerns
• Global Sensitivity
• IS people need to master cross-cultural issues so
  that information systems communicate well with
  diverse users around the globe

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Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics for Managers

• Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other
  people.
• Thou shalt not interfere with other peoples
  computer work.
• Thou shalt not snoop around in other peoples
  computer files.
• Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
• Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false
  witness.
• Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software
  for which thou hast not paid.
• Thou shalt not use other peoples computer
  resources without authorization or proper
  compensation.
• Thou shalt not use other people's intellectual
  output.
• Thou shalt think about about the social
  consequences of the program thou art writing or
  the system thou art designing.
• Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that
  demonstrate consideration and respect for thy
  fellow humans.

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Report-1 Global IS for Success

• Think Locally, Act Globally
• Abstract
• Questions and Projects
• what are your opinions?

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Global IS Think Locally, Act Globally

• Difference between multinational company and a
  truly global one
• Difference between a tourist and a world traveler
• Global IS can run into
• Both cultural and technological obstacles
• No perfect answer to mixing and matching business
  systems, cultural, and technology
• Think locally
• Staying sensitive to cultural issues
• Act globally
• Presenting a strong brand image

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Cases Think Locally, Act Globally

• IBM
• Cases\IBM Singapore.htm
• Cases\IBM Taiwan.htm

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System/Subsystems

• A system is a collection of parts that work
  together to achieve specific goals and function
  in an environment.
• Subsystems are units in a system that share some
  or all of the characteristics of the system.

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Subsystems and Environment of a System
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Five Main System Components

• Input
• Machines, manpower, raw materials, money, time
• Process
• Policies, procedures, and operations that convert
  data into information
• Output
• Information in the right format, conveyed at the
  right time and place to the right person
• Feedback
• Data about the performance of the system
• Control
• Processing the feedback and taking the necessary
  action, such as modifying the processes, input,
  or output

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System componets
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Characteristics of Open Systems

• Every system has a purpose
• Open systems have the five components of input,
  processes, output, feedback, and control
• Systems are made up of subsystems, whose goals
  are referred to as subgoals
• The goals of a system are more important than the
  subgoals of its subsystems
• Subsystems are guided both by their individual
  goals and by their relationship with other
  subsystems within the system
• Subsystems must work together in harmony to
  achieve system goals

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Seven Steps in the Conversion of Data into
Information

• Collection
• Classification
• Sorting,adding, merging
• Summarizing
• Storing
• Retrieval
• Dissemination

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The Steps in the Data collection and Information
gathering process that Lead to Decision Making
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Characteristics of Information
Characteristic
Description
Subjective value
The value of information differs from individual
to individual. Information should be pertinent to
the decision maker. Decision makers should
receive the information at the right
time. Information should be free of
errors. Information should be presented so that
it can be readily used in decision making. The
decision maker should have all necessary
information to make a good decision. Information
should be readily available to those who need it.
Relevance
Timeliness
Accuracy
Meaningful format
Completeness
Accessibility
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Information Technologies That Build Information
Systems
Payroll System
Inventory System
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

• Hardware
• Software
• Databases
• Networks
• Other related components

INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Marketing System
Customer Service System
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The Right Fit between Information Technology and
Information Systems

• IS managers ensure a fit between information
  systems and technologies through computer
  architecture
• Computer architecture is the major components
  needed to build a system and an analysis of how
  the components fit together
• Information technologies help build the
  information infrastructure
• The infrastructure are the physical components
  required to implement the architecture, such as
  wiring, cables, software, etc.

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Pyramid and Team-Based Business Structures
Team-Based Structure
Typical Pyramid Structure
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The Difference between Structured,
Semistructured, and Unstructured Decisions
Routine, easily understood decisions that do not
require intuition or judgment. Decision that
are part routine and part intuitive. Decisions
that rely heavily on judgment , intuition, and
experience.
Structured decisions
Semistructured decisions
Unstructured decisions
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Types of Decisions Made in Organizations
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Personal Information Systems (PIS)

• Systems that support the information needs of
  individual decision makers who must make
  structured, semistructured, and unstructured
  decisions.

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Work-Group Information Systems (WIS)

• Systems that support group decision making.

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Enterprise-Wide Systems (EWS)

• Systems that support decisions about the entire
  organization and provide comprehensive, long-term
  company information.

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Comparing Personal, Work-Group, and
Enterprise-Wide Information Systems
Size of Computer (usually)
Number of Users
Tasks
Personal information systems
Single
Individual-based
Small
Group
Work-group systems
Group-based
Medium
Enterprise-wide systems
Larger groups
Organization-wide
Medium/large
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Information Systems Opportunities and Challenges
Opportunities
Challenges
Enhance global competitiveness Capture market
opportunities Support corporate strategy Enhance
worker productivity Improve quality of goods and
services
Workforce downsizing Information
overload Employee mistrust Difficult to
build Security breaches