(a) Management information systems are designed to provide information needed for decision making at different levels of management. Enumerate six main characteristics of management information systems. (b) In...

      

(a) Management information systems are designed to provide information needed for decision
making at different levels of management. Enumerate six main characteristics of
management information systems.
(b) In relation to the following factors, argue the case for or against the use of online technology
in a business enterprise:
i. Cost.
ii. Security.
iii. Reliability.
iv. Time taken to complete transactions
(c) Citing examples explain the following key concepts of information security:
i. Confidentiality.
ii. Integrity.
iii. Availability.

  

Answers


Kavungya
a) Characteristics of management information systems
- MIS professionals usually design MRS rather than end users- using life cycle oriented
development methodologies.
- They are large and complex in terms of the number of system interfaces with the various
users and databases.
- MRS are built for situations in which information requirements are reasonably well
known and are expected to remain relatively stable. This limits the informational
flexibility of MRS but ensures that a stable informational environment exists.
- They do not directly support the decision making process in a search for alternative
solutions to problems. Information gained through MRS is used in the decision making
process.
- They are oriented towards reporting on the past and the present, rather than projecting the
future. Can be manipulated to do predictive reporting.
- MRS have limited analytical capabilities. They are not built around elaborate models, but
rather rely on summarisation and extraction from the databases according to the given
criteria.

b) Case for and against the use of online technology in a business enterprise
i) Cost
Case against
The cost for installation of the online technology devices like computers, computer networks are
very expensive, training of workers to use such devices and cost of maintenance is also very high
thus an disadvantage to the organisation
Case for
In the long-run the benefits accrued to online technology would outweigh the cost incurred e.g.
in advertisement it is cheaper to advertise online than on media, bill boards and other form of
advertisements.
ii) Security Case for
Online technology has enhanced security of documents as it prevent access of unauthorised users
through passwords and encryptions hence an organisation can maintain its confidential
information without leaking to public thus an advantage to the organisation.
Case against
Through online technology important information of business strategies can leak to its
competitors through hacking of the business systems
iii) Reliability Case against
Information on online technology i.e. internet is not that reliable as information posted might be
misleading or provide false information thus making business decision at times relying on
internet might not be suitable thus an disadvantage
iv) Time taken to complete transaction Case for
Using of online technology is very advantageous to the organisation because its transaction will
be done veiy fast e.g transaction between two companies in different countries is done very
easily and quick online.

i) Confidentiality - protect information value and preserve #5e confidentiality of sensitive
data. Information should not be disclosed without' authorization. Information the release of
which is permitted to a certain section of the public should be identified and protected
against unauthorized disclosure.
ii) Integrity - ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information stored on the computer
systems. Information has integrity if it reflects some real world situation or is consistent,
with real world situation. Information should not be altered without authorization. Hardware
designed to perform some functions has lost integrity if it does not perform those functions
correctly. Software has lost integrity if it does not perform according to its specifications.
Communication channels should relay messages in a secure, manner to ensure that
.integrity. People should ensure the system functions according to the specifications.
iii) Availability - ensure the continued availability of the information system and all its assets to
legitimate users at an acceptable level of service or quality of service. Any event that
degrades performance or quality of a system affects availability
Kavungya answered the question on May 14, 2019 at 07:17


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