Unit 1: Introduction to Management Information Systems
This unit will introduce you to the concept of MIS and the impact it has on business organizations. Most people recognize that information systems are composed of technologies such as computers, keyboards, and networks, but technology is just one small component. Some argue that other components of MIS are far more important. Information systems are made up three high-level components: technology, people, and process. Later in the course, you will spend more time learning about the specifics of each of the three components introduced in this unit.
Innovation drives MIS. The right technology, processes, and people come together to solve problems utilizing new techniques and strategies. In this unit, you will also look at the applications of MIS in business and learn how far MIS has come since the inception of the information age.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 6.5 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- define what an information system is by identifying its major components;
- describe the basic history of information systems; and
- describe what innovation is and how technology contributes to it.
1.1: Introduction to Information Systems
Read the introduction to the course textbook for an overview of the various topics involved in studying information systems. You will see that it is much more than just studying technology. After you have finished reading, reflect upon the different topics. The inclusion of which topic surprised you the most? Which topic will be the most difficult for you to understand?
1.2: The Components of an Information System
Read Chapter 1 for an introduction to the components of information systems. This chapter begins the discussion of the history of information systems and their role in business. This chapter covers many things at a high level; you will be going deeper in later parts of this course. After completing this reading, think about how you use information systems in your everyday life. You probably encounter them at almost every turn in some way!
In this video, Dr. Bourgeois provides an overview of information systems. Pay particular attention to the examples he gives as he discusses information systems. After completing the video, consider how this lecture compares to the Chapter 1 reading.
After the above materials, please post and respond to the following topics on the course discussion board. Feel free to start your own related posts and respond to other students' postings as well. If you haven't done so already, you will need to create a free account to participate in the discussions, which you can do here.
Suppose that you had to explain to a member of your family or one of your closest friends the concept of an information system. How would you define it? Write a one-paragraph description in your own words that you feel would best describe an information system to your friends or family.
1.2.1: Technology
Complete the following exercise: We all interact with various information systems every day: at the grocery store, at work, at school, even in our cars (at least some of us). Make a list of the different information systems you interact with every day. Then select one or two and create a grid to identify the different technologies, people, and processes involved.
1.2.2: Process
In the following exercise, you will apply what you have learned about how processes may be enhanced with technology to a task you do on a regular basis.
1.2.3: People
In this exercise, you will search for job listings in the areas of information systems and information technology and answer a number of questions about what you find.
1.3: Systems Innovation
The advances in information technology over the past several decades have directly led to innovations in business. In this video, you will see several examples of the significance of these changes for all aspects of business. Pay special attention to how the use of technology has influenced whole industries. After watching this video, reflect upon current trends in technology and how they affect companies.
Complete the following exercise: The Walmart case study introduced you to how that company used information systems to become the world’s leading retailer. Walmart has continued to innovate in its use of technology. Do some original research and write a one-page report detailing a new technology that Walmart (or one of its competitors) has recently implemented or is pioneering.