week 3 Chapter 1 (Introduction to information systems)

 

1.1              Why should I study information systems.

Primarily to ensure you can effectively utilize all of your organization’s Information systems. You will stand out as an employee that can navigate complex systems effectively, as well as help co-workers in understanding the systems. You will also be able to share your knowledge with the organizations management in order to aid in good decisions for what systems to use in the future. Because of these things you will also be significantly more likely to be considered for employment at any organisations with online informational systems (almost all of them).

Secondly, this knowledge would mean starting your own business will be significantly easier as you already understand a fundamental area of setup and function of the business.

 

1.2              Overview of computer-based systems.

There are many crucial computer-based systems that allow an organization’s smooth operation, the most important ones are as follows. TPS which capture and store all of the business transactions that occur. FAISs which support specific functions within the organization and IOSs which facilitate interorganizational operations, like for example supply chain management. ERP systems integrate FAISs to improve communication via a shared database. E-commerce systems facilitate transactions between organizations (B2B) and other organisations, as well as consumers (B2C). OASs aid clerical, managerial, and knowledge workers in tasks like document creation, scheduling, and communication. BI systems assist in complex decision-making, primarily for middle managers and knowledge workers and ESs which are designed to mimic human expertise within specific domains.

 

1.3              How does IT impact organisations?

IT can replace the labour of some middle managers meaning reduces jobs. IT can also effectively supply information in real-time to managers to make quick and informed decisions. IT also allows for remote work to be much more straight forward and accessible, meaning managers may have much less face to face supervision.

 

1.4              Why are information systems important to society?

It allows individuals with disabilities access to employment opportunities and similarly allows flexibility in work hours and more work from home. Furthermore, the role of running basic calculations or moving files and other mundane tasks are no longer needed, freeing resources for better uses. However less human decisions through information provided by systems can result in more misinformation.

Gray, H., Issa, T., Pye, G., Troshani, I., Rainer, K. (2014). Management Information Systems, 1st Australian Edition. John Wiley & Sons Australia.