Management information systems / Raymond McLeod

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part One. Information Management -- Part Two. Fundamental Principles -- Part Three. The Information Processor -- Part Four. MIS Components -- Part Five. MIS Subsystems -- Part Six. Managing the MIS.

Although the subject of management information systems (MIS) is usually offered in schools of business, it is difficult to conceive of a career path that will not eventually involve use of the computer as a management tool. All people who have managerial responsibilities-including those in organizations such as churches, military branches, museums, and hospitals as well as business firms--need more than a computer literacy. They need an MIS literacy. These people are the users of the MIS. In addition to managers, there are information specialists--systems analysts, pro-grammers, data base administrators, network managers, and EDP auditors- who support the managers. These specialists help managers to recognize problems that can be solved with the aid of the MIS, formulate computer-based solutions, and implement workable information systems. Information specialists also need to understand the importance of information to the managerial role. Future managers and future information specialists travel different paths during their collegiate programs. But at some point the two bodies of material--the managerial and the technical--must merge. The MIS course provides such a point. Both groups of students study the same material in the same setting of managerial problem solving. Because the two groups eventually will work together in designing and implementing information systems, it is important that a spirit of cooperation and understanding develop as soon as possible. The MIS course provides the perfect setting, and this textbook has been written especially to facilitate such a joint study.