Management Information Systems

MBA (II) Final Semester

Lectures 4,5,6

Course Lecturer: Farhan Mir

Lecture 4,5,6

Systems & Models

(Concepts & Case Studies)

Lecture Administration• Review from first week• Questions regarding task 1• Systems

– Definitions– Examples

• Models– Need for Models– Types

• Case Studies– Caulfield Outback Tours– Terrorism Information System

Review from Week 1• Information Systems

– “An organized combination of people, hardware, software, networks and data resources that collect, transforms, and disseminates information in the organization.” James O’Brien (1998).

• Management Information Systems– Above definition plus…..Systems that provide people

with information relating to organizational operation, to support their Decision-Making activities

– Two Crucial Activities• Information Management• Management Reporting

Data

Information

Knowledge

meaning

useful

Information is a difference that makes a difference

unstructured,

uninformed facts

To conceive of knowledge as a collection of information seems to rob the concept of all of

its life... Knowledge resides in the user and

not in the collection. It is how the user reacts to a

collection of information that matters(Experience)

Understanding the nature of information

Various Information Systems

• TPS (Transaction Processing Systems)• MIS (Management Information Systems)• MRS (Management Reporting Systems)• DSS (Decision Support Systems)• EIS (Executive Information Systems)• SIS (Strategic Information Systems)• KMS (Knowledge Management Systems)• OIS (Office Information Systems)

IS in Organizations

IS Perspectives & Goals• IS Perspectives

– Operational activities– Management support– KM– Networking and e-activities

• Objectives & Goals– Operational Efficiency– Functional Effectiveness– Customer Service– Product Creation & Enhancement– Competitive Advantage– Communication and Networking– Control & Feedback

Contemporary Issues• IS Theory seems to be still in evolution• People/Management a trouble area• Keeping yourself updated (choice of technologies)• Investment Analysis for IS• Interaction between IT and other functional areas• Career Development • For us as Academic participants (Teachers & Students)

– Controversial area of study (Hype another factor)– Still the most demanded course in field of IT

• Have a look at some debates:– http://www.csc.com/features/2001/21.shtml– http://www.csc.com/features/2002/22.shtml

Other Challenges• The challenge of IS planning• The challenge of time required for successful

organizational learning about IT limits the practical speed of change

• The challenge of managing disruptive technologies (e.g. the Internet)

• The challenge of developing competencies for harnessing IT

• The challenge of remaining ethical• The challenge of information security

Counter Strategies

• ??????????? (More Questions than answers)• Circumstances might change from situation to situation

and organization to organization• Continuous search for better IS options• Knowledge about IS issues/strategies is more crucial

than having the latest technology• Recommendations

– Analysis of the IS decisions will require same care and deep thinking as done for other business and functional problems/situations

– Project Management

Systems

• A system is made up of a number of parts combined in a particular way to do something useful. We think of the combined parts as a single thing and we give it a name.

Wheels, axles, pedals, gears, chain, seat and handlebars are combined to form a single whole we call a bicycle. A bike is a system when all the parts are connected correctly because it allows

the rider to move from one place to another more easily.

Systems• Systematic

– Words like “Arrangements, Coordination”– Objectives of Systems (clear definition, optimization)

• What is a System?– Interrelated Elements that collectively work to achieve a common goal– Physical Elements– Logical constitution– System Environment (internal Vs. external influences)

• Types– Open Vs. Closed

• For a look at a simple system, go through the link:– http://www.geog.ouc.bc.ca/physgeog/contents/4b.html

Systems…..• Examples

– Universities• Departments• Staff• Courses• Hostels etc. • Environment• Logical Arrangements

– Class Room• Whiteboard• Chairs, Tables• Technologies (projectors)• Teachers• Students• Non-physical Things (Guess what could be?)

System Models• What is a Model?

– Presentation of real world elements and the relationship among them– Porter’s five forces Model, Management level’s Model etc.

• Why we need Models • Types (General Vs Specific)

– Graphical– Mathematical– Narrative– Physical

• Examples– Organization’s general model– Strategic Planning Models– DSS (utilizing models & modeling techniques)

Case Study 1

• Caulfield Outback Tours– Australian Company that arranges tours throughout

Australian Outback

– Started as a small company with restricted assets and few Location Options.

– Gradually expanded it’s operations and now arranging tours for multiple locations with expended facilities

– The target customers are basically Students from Universities (especially Monash Uni. Caulfield Campus)

Case Study 2• Terrorism Information System

– Program to detect, classify and identify Foreign terrorism in US

– Eventually support timely action in case of terrorism attacks

– In case of an event, “Analysis support” to detect past patterns for a similar attach

– Policy Making for Future course of action– Have a look at Web for further details:

http://www.darpa.mil/iao/TIASystems.htm

Conclusion & Recommendations• Organization need to develop Systematic Approach

– To Clearly identify related components and influences– Rearrange components and their relationship to achieve

maximum optimization

• Models are useful way to – Express complex systems– Both qualitative and quantitative modeling tools help in better

understanding about general and specific situations– System Models often utilized to represent the complete picture

(the “whole situation”)– System Development one clear example– Decision systems often requires modeling support

Another Case• Systems interact with each

other and work in collaboration to achieve overall effectiveness, have a look at an Airport system and supporting subsystems:

References

• Charles Parker, Thomas Case. (2000). “Management Information Systems: Action & Strategy”. (2nd Ed). Chapter 3

• Geographical Systems: Systems and the dynamics of their components. Web: http://www.geog.ouc.bc.ca/physgeog/contents/4b.html

• Terrorism Information System: Terrorism Information Awareness Program Web: http://www.darpa.mil/iao/TIASystems.htm