PHIL’S TUTORIALS

NOTES ON MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MIS)

LECTURE ONE: INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND PEOPLE

Disclaimer: The notes summarized here are my personal understanding of what I learnt in

class during the actual lecture and it’s not in any way meant to replace the lecturer’s notes

and handout.

Introduction:

1. In lay terms, MIS looks at the combination and integration of computer technology and

managerial activities and decisions.

2. When organizations and businesses make use of computer technology and applications to

enhance their activities and make informed decisions, it is referred to as Management

Information Systems.

3. In business IS can be seen in sectors like HR, manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing,

entrepreneurship among others.

4. In order to understand the full concept of MIS, it is important to get the basics; let’s start

from the foundation.

Foundation (Breakdown of IS):

With MIS, we have to first understand these basic terms summarized in the chart below:

Information
Data Information Systems
Systems

Data: Data refers to something that has no meaning; raw unorganized facts and figures. It includes

numbers, alphabets, codes, pictures and diagrams which have no basic meaning. Take the

normal alphabets and letters for instance, without words and sentences, the raw
 alphabets have no meaning. That is what we refer to as data (meaningless

information).

Information: Information is processed data into something meaningful and understandable. In

plain terms, when you are able to form words and sentences with the alphabets, you

have processed data into information. When raw facts are organized and analyzed to

make meaning, data is said to have been processed into information.

Systems: Systems refers to different things coming together to form a single whole thing. It is

made up inter-related components to form a whole. System can also refer to a set of

methods or procedures by which something is done. Examples of systems can be solar

system, telephone systems, ecological systems etc. On a light note, to better remember

the concept of system, remember we have the soup/stew system as well. Here, different

components such as the meat, vegetables, oil, water, spices and the kako come

together to form a delicious soup for consumption. So once again, systems refer to

inter-related/connected components coming together to form a whole.

Information System: Remember we said examples of systems included the solar system,

telephone systems, ecological systems and the soup system. Another example of system

is the information system. Information Systems (IS in short) are systems or mechanisms

that process raw, unorganized facts into meaningful information. It deals with

interrelated components that process information for the benefit of its users.

Management Information System: In our introduction we said management information system

looks at how businesses and organizations make use of computer technology and

application in their activities and decision-making processes. When businesses and

organizations rely on information produced by information system to make informed

 decision, we term it as management information system, it deals with the application

of information systems in management.

IS In Action:

1. Information Systems (IS) in action refers to the application of information systems.

2. Information Systems application can be seen different sectors such as communication,

education, governance, entertainment, security among others.

3. IS in action helps organizations and businesses to generate data/input, process this input

into good output and feedbacks which eventually helps them to take action.

4. Some of these IS applications can be seen on sites and applications. Some of these avenues

include:

• Social media such as Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram among others

• Reality shows such as Date Rush, Ghana’s Most Beautiful, Talented Kidz, Di Asa

etc. NB: The application here is usually seen through their voting systems.

• E-commerce platforms such as Jumia, Kikuu, Tonaton, Ali Baba Express, Jiji etc

• Another IS application is the Mobile Money systems such as MTN MoMo,

Vodafone Cash, Airtel Tigo Money, Ghana Pay, Zee Pay etc.

Role of IS in Organizations:

1. In order for organizations, businesses and firms to enhance and better their processes, they

rely and make use of information systems (IS).

2. The integration of technology into business processes helps organizations in diverse ways.

3. Some of the ways information systems (IS) is used in organization include the following

roles:

Operations Management:
Operations management refers to the day-to-day management of activities of an organization and

firms. Adopting computer technology to replace the manual ways of doing things such as payroll

management, sales volume, employee attendance and productivity, data collection, consumer

behavior, delivery of goods and services, compliance among others helps organizations and

businesses to improve their operations.

Decision Making:

One other role IS plays in organizations is helping to make informed decisions based on collected

data and facts. IS in organizations improves business intelligence and makes it possible for

organizations to make decisions related to product development, market segmentation, consumer

tastes and brand etc.

Customer Relations:

With IS, organizations are able to reach a wider range of customers irrespective of geographical

locations and interact with them through their online presence and e-commerce platforms. With

IS, businesses are able to engage customers to meet their needs and expectations.

Collaborations on Teams:

Information System has helped organizations when it comes to team work and collaborations. This

was very common and evident during the Covid-19 era where most employees were asked to work

from home. With IS, people are able to work together on specific tasks to achieve specific goals

through shared networks such as Zoom, Google Meet, Video Conference platforms among others.

This enhances collaborations in organizations.

Competitive Advantage:

In this fast -pace dynamic era we find ourselves, technology seems to be the new normal. The old

ways of doing things in organizations is gradually fading out. Our world is gradually moving to a
“paperless system”. Organizations who make good use of IS have competitive advantage over

others who do not, especially when it comes employee relations, customer relations, operations

management and decision making, sales and advertisement among others.

NOTE:

IS also play very important roles in not-for-profit organizations and NGOs. Some of the roles of

IS in this sector include:

1. Fundraising activities

2. Recruitment of relief workers

3. Recruitment of volunteers and partners

Ethical Issues in IS:

1. The use and application of IS comes with some ethical concerns in organizations and firms

as well as individuals.

2. Ethical issues in IS refers to conducts that must be adhered to when it comes to information

systems. Some of these ethical issues in IS include the following:

• Privacy

• Crisis Management

• Reputation

Contact Phil’s Tutorials on 0553358369/0506180198 for more clarification and explanations.

Have a good day.