Notes chapter 1 19/09/2017

CHAPTER 1: Business Driven Technology

Chapter 1- BusineTechnologyss Driven

           

 

Learning Outcomes:

       1.1  Compare management information systems (MIS) and information technology (IT)

 §MIS is not IT.  MIS is a business function.  IT is a computer-based tool.  Most organizations have an IT Department that is responsible for performing the MIS function.   This is similar to an organization having an Accounting Department that is responsible for performing the accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.

       1.2 Describe the relationships among people, information technology, and  information

§IT in and of itself is not useful unless the right people know how to use and manage IT     efficiently and effectively

§People, information, and information technology (in that order of priority) are inextricably linked
1.3 Identify four different departments in a typical business and explain how technology helps them to work together.

§Accounting, Finance, Human resources, Sales, Marketing, Operations management, Management information systems (MIS)

§Functional areas are anything but independent in a business. In fact, functional areas are interdependent. Sales must rely on information from operations to understand inventory, place orders, calculate transportation costs, and gain insight into product availability based on production schedules.

   For an organization to succeed, every department or functional area must work together sharing common information and not be a “silo.” Information technology can enable departments to more efficiently and effectively perform their business operations.

§If  students are unfamiliar with any of these areas, or business in general, point them in the direction of plug-in B1 – Business Basics. 

1.4 Compare the four different types of organizational information cultures and decide which culture applies to your school. 

§Information-Functional 

    Culture Employees use information as a means of exercising influence or power over others. For example, a manager in sales refuses to share information with marketing. This causes marketing to need the sales manager’s input each time a new sales strategy is developed

§Information-Sharing Culture

    Employees across departments trust each other to use information (especially about problems and failures) to improve performance

§Information-Inquiring Culture

    Employees across departments search for information to better understand the future and align themselves with current trends and new directions

§Information-Discovery Culture

    Employees across departments are open to new insights about crisis and radical changes and seek ways to create competitive advantages