Knowledge that Transforms

This article describes a study performed to (1) investigate senior executives' perceptions of decision support systems concepts, and (2) identify executives' needs and desired benefits related to d...

The authors discuss concepts underlying the growth of Inter-Organizational Information Sharing System (IS). A classification scheme is presented and the issues of cost commitment, responsibility, a...

Computer-aided support in the analysis and design of office information systems is discussed. The support system described includes a language for description of office practice, analysis and database maintenance systems, and analysis report generation software. The system components are consistent with a general model of office interactions. The objects and relations unique to the office environment are supported in the terminology for description of both manual and automated office activities. Analysis support providing consistency and completeness evaluations and alternative views of the system serve the analysis activity. A case study is briefly overviewed and conclusions are drawn concerning the utility of the tools. The major utility of the tools was perceived by management and analysts to be the application as a dynamic and structured documentation with consistency evaluation.

Proponents of computer graphics foresee them having a dramatic impact on decision maker productivity. The availability of inexpensive graphic computer technology permits organizations to rely exten...

This article reviews empirical and selected conceptual research on managing human resources in the information systems field and points toward general conclusions. The authors make general suggesti...

Both the computing and word processing industries have grown to billion dollar size, but little real effort has been made to integrate them at the application level. The effort that has been expended to date has been directed at integrating word processing and data processing. What is needed is a serious look at the potential for integrating word processing into management information systems. One approach is to evaluate theoretical constructs of management information systems that indicate areas of potential word processing applications. Henry Mintzberg’s concept of managerial roles and information flows is one such construct. The authors use Mintzberg’s theory as a basis for a word processing and management information system integration that is being followed in a life insurance company. The company had recognized the logic of integrating word processing and data processing, but the potential for also involving information processing in the long range plan became clear only after an interpretation of the Mintzberg theory in light of word processing opportunities. The experiences of this company should be of value to others engaged in loosely-tied word processing, data processing, and management information system development programs.

The concept of creating and considering alternative designs in the system development process is integral to design methodology in many fields. In MIS the idea is little implemented despite the existence of some techniques that facilitate the consideration of alternative designs. Some of these techniques are reviewed and evaluated in terms of their utility in MIS.