The role of information in

organization design and behaviour

Data versus Information

How data are converted to information . . .

acquisitionofdata;
classificationofdata;
storageofdata;
retrievalofdata,
editingofdata;
verificationandqualitycontrolofprocessthatproducedthedata;
aggregationofdata;
hypothesisgeneration;
descriptionofdata;
testofanalysisassumptions;
analysis;
extrapolationofimplicationsoffindings;
choiceofformatforpresentationofdata;
distributionofreports;
evaluationofeffectivenessofreports.

Databases and Database management

systems

Definitions
Database:Acollectionofrelateddata.
Database Management System (DBMS):A
softwarepackage/systemtofacilitatethecreation
andmaintenanceofacomputerizeddatabase.
Database System:TheDBMSsoftwaretogether
withthedataitself.Sometimes,theapplications
arealsoincluded.
Mini-world:Somepartoftherealworldabout
whichdataisstoredinadatabase.

Concerns of DBMS:

Integrity
Consistency
Redundancy
Security

Database system environment

Main Characteristics of Database

Technology

Self-containednatureofadatabasesystem
Insulationbetweenprogramsanddata
DataAbstraction
Supportofmultipleviewsofthedata

Benefits of Database Technology

Controlling redundancy in data storage and in
development and maintenence efforts.
Sharing of data among multiple users.
Restricting unauthorized access to data.
Providing multiple interfaces to different classes of
users.
Representing complex relationships among data.
Enforcing integrity constraints on the database.

 Providing backup and recovery services.

Potential for enforcing standards.
Flexibility to change data structures.
Reduced application development time.
Availability of up-to-date information.
Economies of scale.

Classes of Database Users

Workers on the scene:Personswhosejob
involvesdailyuseofalargedatabase.
Workers behind the scene:Personswhose
jobinvolvesdesign,development,operationand
maintenanceoftheDBMS software and system
environment.

When not to use a DBMS

Main inhibitors (costs) of using a DBMS
When a DBMS may be unnecessary
When no DBMS may suffice