Information systems contribute significantly to the efficient management of an organisation. i. Highlight the requirements of an effective information system in an organisation. ii. Briefly summarise how...

i) Requirements of an effective information system in an organisation
Management-oriented: The basic objective of MIS is to provide information support to the
management in the organization for decision making. So an effective MIS should start its
journey from appraisal of management needs, mission and goal of the business organization. It
may be individual or collective goals of an organization. The MIS is such that it serves all the
levels of management in an organization i.e. top, middle and lower level.
Management directed: When MIS is management-oriented, it should be directed by the
management because it is the management who tells their needs and requirements more
effectively than anybody else. . .
Manager should guide the MN professionals not only at the stage of planning but also on
development, review,and implementation stages so that effective system should be the end
product of the whole exercise in making an effective MIS.
Integrated:. It means a comprehensive or complete view of all the sub systems in the
organization of a company. Development of information must be integrated so that all the
operational and functional information sub systems should be worked together as a single entity.
This integration is necessary because it leads to retrieval of more meaningful and useful
information. Heavy-planning-element: The preparation of MIS is not a one or two day exercise.
It usually takes 3 to 5 years and sometimes a much longer period. So the system expert has to
keep 2 things in mind one is that he has to keep future objectives as well as the firm's
information well in advance and also he has to keep in mind that his MIS will not be obsolete
before it gets into action.
Common databse: This is the basic feature of MIS to achieve the objective of using MIS in
business organizations. It avoids duplication of files and storage which leads to reduction in
costs. Common database means a "Super file or Master file" which consolidates and integrates
data records formerly stored in many separate data files_ The organization of.the database allows
it to be accessed by each subsystem and thus, eliminates the necessity of duplication in data
storage, updating, deletion and protection.
Computerized: MIS can be used without a computer. But the use of computers increases the
effectiveness and the efficiency of the system. The queries can be handled more quickly and
efficiently with the computerized MIS. The other benefits are accuracy, storage capacity and
timely information.
User friendly/Flexibility: An MIS should be flexible i.e. there should be room for further
modification because the MIS takes much time in preparation and our environment is dynamic in
nature. MIS should be such that it should be used independently by the end user so that they do
not depend on the experts.
Information as a resource: Information is the major ingredient of any MIS. So, an MIS should
be treated as a resource and managed properly

ii) How three levels of management influence information systems in a given entity
Top level managers
Top management can create organizational structures that facilitate the implementation of
information systems .Top management can also champion the new initiatives by allocating
resources, participating in meetings, and helping resolve conflicts. Such top management actions
often lend legitimacy in the mind of employees and other managers to the information system.
Top management participation in could also send a strong signal to other managers and
employees about how much they value the system.
Middle-level managers
Consist of general managers, branch managers and department managers. They are accountable
to the top management for their department's function. They devote more time to organizational
and directional functions. Their roles can be emphasized as executing organizational plans in
conformance with the company's policies and the objectives of the top management, they define
and discuss information and policies from top management to lower management, and most
importantly they inspire and provide guidance to lower level managers towards better
performance. Some of their functions are as follows:
- Designing and implementing effective group and intergroup work and information
systems.
- Defining and monitoring group-level performance indicators.
- Diagnosing and resolving problems within and among work groups.
- Designing and implementing reward systems supporting cooperative behavior.
Low-level managers
Consist of supervisors, section leads, foremen, etc. They focus on controlling and directing. They
usually have the responsibility of assigning employees tasks, guiding and supervising employees
on day-to-day activities, ensuring quality and quantity production, making recommendations,
suggestions, and up channeling employee problems, etc. First-level managers are role models for
employees that provide:
• Basic supervision.
• Motivation.
• Career planning.
• Performance feedback.
• Supervising the staffs.

---

Kavungya answered the question on May 18, 2019 at 07:59