Discussion Questions

 Discussion Questions

Define information and information technology and provide examples of each.

Information refers to processed, organized, and structured data. Provides context for data and makes decision making easier (Ye et al., 2020). Also, information may be defined as news or knowledge that is received or given to someone. For example, what is offered as explanation when someone enquires about the background of something. On the other hand, information technology refers to anything that is directly associated with computing technology (Ye et al., 2020). For example, the internet, telephone, radio equipment, video conferencing equipment, and personal computers.

Describe the role of management information systems in supporting a company’s business functions.

In business, management information systems provide support for processes, operations intelligence, and information technology. Just like technological advancement in the business world, the management information systems provide support to various business activities. In addition, various fields require the use of a system that can manage and control the information properly and adequately. Management information systems helps in improving data accuracy. It is important for an organization to emphasize on accurate data because it helps in making strategic decisions (Al-Waeli et al., 2020). The incoming data is automatically processed by the system making administrative tasks more effective and to flow efficiently. Therefore, with the help of information technology an organization can easily retrieve information in real-time. Additionally, management information systems help in facilitating coordination. These systems provide information services which a company may use for planning and in the overall administrative control. MIS help improve the quality of human resources (Al-Waeli et al., 2020). When information data is readily and accurately accessible an organizations overall performance of the human resources is enhanced.

Select two types of information systems a company might need and explain why those systems are important.

Transaction processing systems – these systems ensure that all of the contractual, transactional, and customer relationship data is properly stored and retrievable anytime when needed. Additionally, the transaction processing system helps help process sales order entries, payrolls, sales management, among many other routine transactions that help maintain an organization’s operations (Al-Emran et al., 2018). Therefore, TPS can help businesses have a high reliability level and maintain high accuracy in in their available data while reducing instances of human error. Secondly, office automation systems help ensure that all communication data can be easily accessed in a single centralized location (Al-Emran et al., 2018). Therefore, utilizing the office automation system organizations can improve in overall communication among different entities and streamline management activities.

People, information, and information technology are key resources in an organization. Place these three resources in order of importance to an organization (1 being most important, 3 being least important), and explain why you have ordered them as you have.

People remain the most important resource in a company because they are the ones that set goals, carry out different tasks, make important decisions, and ensure that customers are served well. In addition, specialists such as those in charge of information technology ensure that a company has a reliable, technological environment so that operations can be run smoothly and also put them in a better position to acquire a competitive advantage over those providing alternative goods in the market (Sofyani et al., 2020). Information is the second most important thing in an organization considering that it plays a vital role in everything that happens today. Information provides facts, data, documents, and may be used for any particular purpose. Information technology is important because it helps grow organizational commerce and business sector ensuring that it is able to generate the maximum possible outcome (Sofyani et al., 2020). However, it is less important than the other two mentioned above in that people and information must be available first before information technology is put to use.

Describe the role of the knowledge workers, or people, in a company in ensuring the management information systems are used effectively.

Knowledge workers have the mandate to ensure that important information regarding the overall running of the organization is properly acquired, manipulated, and interpreted. These people apply information when performing multidisciplinary, complicated, and unpredictable works (Khaksar et al., 2020). Additionally, knowledge workers have the responsibility of ensuring that management information systems are used effectively through analysis of information and application of expertise in different areas to solve problems, generation of ideas, and in creation of new products and services (Khaksar et al., 2020).

Define the terms hardware and software.

Hardware can be described as the physical and visible components of a system. Examples of a hardware include monitors, the CPU, key board, and a mouse. On the other hand, software may be defined as a set of instructions that help a hardware to operate properly and to perform various set of tasks (Akam et al., 2022). In short, a software is a set of instructions which guide a computer on the commands it needs to execute. It is impossible for a hardware to operate without software.

Identify three types of hardware required to support a company’s operations and describe how they support those operations.

The three basic forms of hardware that any organization requires to perform its operations include input devices, output devices or communication capability, and storage devices (Akam et al., 2022). Input devices help in processing data and raw data instructions and convert it into information. The output devices help in the dissemination of data and information (Akam et al., 2022). Storage devices are important in that they make it possible to preserve or retain important data in an organization.  

Identify three types of software required to support a company’s operations and describe how they support those operations.

The three important software that an organization can utilize to support its operations are the accounting software, payroll software, and tax software. Ensuring that you choose the right accounting software for a business is important (Akam et al., 2022). Having the right accounting software helps facilitate cash flow, expenditures, among other important business data (Akam et al., 2022). Payroll software helps monitor payments for employees, goods, and services delivered or purchased. Lastly, tax software helps an organization to fulfil its legal tax obligations. 

References

Akam, T., Lustig, A., Rowland, J. M., Kapanaiah, S. K., Esteve-Agraz, J., Panniello, M., ... & Walton, M. E. (2022). Open-source, Python-based, hardware and software for controlling behavioural neuroscience experiments. Elife, 11, e67846.

Al-Emran, M., Mezhuyev, V., Kamaludin, A., & Shaalan, K. (2018). The impact of knowledge management processes on information systems: A systematic review. International Journal of Information Management, 43, 173-187.

Al-Waeli, A. J., Hanoon, R. N., Ageeb, H. A., & Idan, H. Z. (2020). Impact of accounting information system on financial performance with the moderating role of internal control in Iraqi industrial companies: An analytical study. Jour of Adv Research in Dynamical & Control Systems, 12(8), 246-261.

Sofyani, H., Riyadh, H. A., & Fahlevi, H. (2020). Improving service quality, accountability and transparency of local government: The intervening role of information technology governance. Cogent Business & Management, 7(1), 1735690.

Khaksar, S. M. S., Chu, M. T., Rozario, S., & Slade, B. (2020). Knowledge-based dynamic capabilities and knowledge worker productivity in professional service firms the moderating role of organisational culture. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 1-18.

Ye, Q., Zhou, J., & Wu, H. (2020). Using information technology to manage the COVID-19 pandemic: development of a technical framework based on practical experience in China. JMIR medical informatics, 8(6), e19515.