Management information systems - Hardcover

McLeod, Raymond

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0574219951 ISBN 13: 9780574219954

Publisher: Science Research Associates, 1986

Synopsis

For upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in Management Information Systems.Management Information Systems is recognized for logical organization and clear descriptions. Focusing on the role of managers within an organization, the text emphasizes the development of computer-based Information Systems to support an organization's objectives and strategic plans. Focusing on the Systems Concepts, introduced in Ch. 6, the Systems Approach is implemented throughout the rest of the text.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

Preface

A textbook consists of two key ingredients—the selection of topics and their organization. These ingredients have always received top priority in Management Information Systems; but because of the dynamic nature of the computer field, the task becomes more difficult with successive editions. Each year there are numerous new topics, and decisions must be made concerning where to put them and what old topics, if any, to discard.

Although these can be tough decisions, two situations make the job easier. First, there are many more sources of material today than there were in the past. When the first edition of Management Information Systems was published in 1979, one good reference on a topic was considered a gold mine. Fortunately, that situation has changed. Today there are many excellent sources for each topic, making it possible to provide complete descriptions from several points of view.

The second situation that simplifies the job of writing an MIS text is the fact that the underlying theory does not change that much. The theory provides the framework for the technology and is relatively stable. So, when someone writes a new edition, it is not like starting out with a clean slate, wondering what the first word should be.

Management Information Systems has always enjoyed a strong brand loyalty among the instructors who adopt and use it. The main reason is that students like it. In their course evaluations, students consistently give the text a good rating, their comments indicating that they like the logical organization and the clear descriptions. Supporting these two features is the strong theoretical base.

Logical Textbook Organization: You will find this eighth edition well organized, with the topics flowing logically within each part and each chapter. Terms are not used in a chapter without first defining them. Thorough Explanations: This edition upholds its tradition of complete coverage of each topic that is introduced. Emphasis has never been on the number of topics covered but, rather, on the number covered well. Solid Theoretical Base: The framework for the text consists of approximately 400 illustrations in the form of schematic diagrams, or models. Some of the models were created over the years by experts in the field, and their contributions are acknowledged. Most, however, are unique to this text. The diagrams provide a road map, making it easier to learn the material so that students can apply it in their careers.

These three features—good organization, thorough explanations, and a solid theoretical base—give students an advantage in learning about the complex and changing field of business computing. A Management Orientation

Like the previous editions, the eighth edition views computer use through the eyes of the manager. The management orientation has always seemed appropriate, but the case is even stronger today with so many managers personally using their computers to produce information.

When students later become managers, they will have many opportunities to apply the text material. Perhaps, however, they are primarily interested in computers and want to become computer specialists. As systems analysts, network specialists, or database administrators, they will apply the material as they work with managers in developing managerial systems. Of course, before long they may become managers themselves in the information systems area. So, regardless of the position of the computer specialist in the organization, he or she will benefit from seeing problems from management's point of view. This text will give students that perspective. New to This Edition

WEBSITE SUPPORT: The Prentice Hall Companion Website for the Eighth Edition features new projects, two for each chapter of the text, within the Interactive Study Guide. The student side of. the site provides the projects and instructions for completing them. The instructor side of the site' contains the projects, the project answers, and materials for helping students having difficulty with the projects.

These new Companion Website projects are designed to reinforce concepts presented in the' chapter. Students also derive skills in the use of technology as they solve the projects. Project exercises incorporate spreadsheets, database queries and reports, word processing, and web page development into their design. The book's Internet address is: prenhall/mcleod

NEW AND UPDATED CHAPTERS: This edition includes one completely new chapter—Chapter 15, Enterprise Information Systems. The textbook has always given strong attention to such organizational information systems as executive information systems and marketing information systems, and that emphasis is continued. Chapter 15 serves to address business computing from an organization-wide perspective—an approach that is currently receiving much attention on a global scale.

In addition to this new chapter, many substantive changes have been made to other chapters. Part Three, which covers computer technology, has been completely rewritten. Chapter 8, Fundamentals of Computer Processing, has been updated with current hardware and software examples. Chapter 9, The Database and Database Management System, and Chapter 10, Data Communications, have also been completely revised.

All of these changes serve to keep the text up-to-date in areas of technology and methodology. Boxed Inserts

All chapters contain a boxed insert entitled "Highlights in MIS" that relates the chapter mated to the use of information technology in business and industrial organizations. In essence, these inserts describe how firms have been both successful and unsuccessful in applying the principles of information management. Examples of Applying the Systems Approach

Chapter 6 describes the basic problem-solving methodology—the systems approach. From that point on, each chapter includes a section called "Applying the Systems Approach," which discusses how this approach can be applied to the chapter material. These sections continue the systems focus long after the fundamentals are presented early in the text. Updated Appendixes

In addition to the chapters, there are five appendixes. Two deal with the tools of systems development data and process modeling. These topics are of most interest to information specialist but can have value to users engaged in end-user computing.

Data modeling is accomplished by using entity-relationship diagrams and data dictionaries to document the firm's data. Process modeling is accomplished by using data flow diagrams and structured English.

Three additional appendixes deal with organizational information systems-manufacturing information systems, financial information systems, and human resources information systems' These three appendixes complete the coverage of computer use by the major business areas. Modular Organization of the Chapters

The text is divided into six parts.

Part One: The Computer as an Organizational Information – System Part One consists of five chapters and provides the course foundation. Regardless of the course approach, Chapters 1, 2, and 3-Introduction to the Computer-Based Information System, Using Information Technology for Competitive Advantage, and Using Information Technology to Engage in Electronic Commerce-should always be covered first. They capture the essence of contemporary computer use in business.

The next two chapters—chapter 4, Computer Use in an International Marketplace; and chapter 5, Ethical Implications of Information Technology—should be included in the course foundation when the text is used in an introduction to computing course required of all business majors.

Part Two: Systems Methodologies – With the foundation laid, the instructor can take the remaining parts in any order, depending on the emphasis desired. Part Two consists of two chapters: chapter 6, Systems Concepts; and chapter 7, System Life Cycle Methodologies. Chapter 6 explains business operations in systems terms and provides the framework for understanding how managers and information specialists solve problems. Chapter 7 describes the frameworks that have been devised to guide users and information specialists in the process of systems development. This part is included in a course where the instructor recognizes the value of a solid theoretical foundation. Such an approach would be especially appropriate when the course is required of all information systems majors.

Part Three: The Computer as a Problem-Solving Tool – Part Three is appropriate when the course is to include computing technology. The instructor selects such an approach when the students' previous exposure to computing has been limited primarily to personal computers and prewritten software and when students need a broader foundation in technology. Chapters 8,, 9, and 10—Fundamentals of Computer Processing, The Database and Database Management System, and Data Communications—provide this needed foundation.

Part Four: The Computer-Bas

From the Back Cover:

Management Information Systems, Eighth Edition provides up-to-date Information Systems topics logically organized with thorough, understandable explanations within a solid theoretical framework.

Today, as MIS students move into the workplace, managerial skills are becoming increasingly important, and MIS 8E provides this management orientation. As students become managers or entrepreneurs, they can rely on this text to help them produce and organize information, build information systems, and conduct business in the new millennium.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

Web site Support The Prentice Hall Companion Web site for the Eighth Edition features new projects, two for each chapter of the text, within the Interactive Study Guide. The student side of the site provides the projects and instructions for completing them. The instructor side of the site contains the projects, as well as the project answers, and materials to assist students in completing the projects.

These new Companion Web site projects are designed to reinforce concepts presented in each chapter. Students also develop technology skills as they solve the projects. Project exercises incorporate spreadsheets, database queries and reports, word processing, and Web page development into their design. The book's Internet address is: http://www.prenhall.com/mcleod

New and Updated Chapters This edition includes a completely new chapter—Chapter 15, Enterprise Information Systems. The textbook has always emphasized organizational information systems such as executive information systems and marketing information systems, and that emphasis is continued. Chapter 15 serves to address business computing from an organization-wide perspective—an approach currently receiving much attention on a global scale.

In addition to this new chapter, many substantive changes have been made to other chapters. Part Three, which covers computer technology, has been completely rewritten. Chapter 8, Fundamentals of Computer Processing, has been updated with current hardware and software examples. Chapter 9, The Database and Database Management System, and Chapter 10, Data Communications, have also been completely revised. All of these changes serve to keep the text up-to-date in areas of technology and methodology.

About this edition

• Publisher: Science Research Associates
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0574219951
• ISBN 13: 9780574219954
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 842