Knowledge that Transforms

This article traces the efforts of a development team seeking to define and install a timely cost-effective communications network in a situation that promised little in potential hard dollar savings. The “Information Systems” approach selected involved some newer technologies in combination with some older, almost prosaic, techniques. The article shows how value- added networks, non-simultaneous communications, voice/data sharing, ASCI protocols and the electronic PBX were combined to produce a data network at literally no incremental cost to the corporation.

Between late 1977 and April 1979 the State University of New York at Albany was able to successfully move from completely manual systems to a very contemporary and integrated online Financial and Accounting Management information System (FAMIS). The development of FAMIS involved the application of innovative organizational and technological approaches which contributed significantly to the success of the project. For example, the University utilized a systems, user, and management team in its design of FAMIS. Also, the technological approach involved use of a Dictionary/Directory Facility (DDF) developed by the University’s Administrative Systems group. The use of the DDF proved to reduce significantly the amount of conventional computer programming required to develop FAMIS. Furthermore, it proved to be a valuable aid in facilitating systems, and user and management interaction.

Du Pont’s international business is becoming a more important part of its worldwide total. The Polymer Products Department (PPD), due to the merging of former independent departments, represents about 25% of Du Pont’s worldwide revenues, and has the largest export sales section—several hundred million dollars annually. As PPD’s product lines increased, managers with geographic responsibilities must cope with an increasingly complex array of detailed product, end use, sales, and forecast information. These changes require a more efficient way to organize and access business information. This article describes the development of a management information system that could cope with an anticipated rise in meeting new information needs for both sales and order processing. This article explores the operational philosophy that permitted the rapid development of the IMS/MIS at a relatively low cost. It explores the techniques used to interact with users at all organizational levels and outlines a plan to implement the IMS/MIS at headquarters and subsidiary locations around the world.

This article reports the results of an experimental analysis of the impact of MIS design variables on managers’ evaluations of subordinates’ performances. The experiment involved examining whether different ways of reporting a specific standard cost accounting situation resulted in differences in managers’ evaluations. When actual costs differed significantly from standard, it was found that the form of the accounting report did have an impact on evaluations. The presentation and the frequency of the report were found to be important variables in MIS design which affected managers’ evaluations.