This course provides a comprehensive overview of information systems used by business firms today while drawing connections between MIS (Management Information Systems) and business performance.
This course starts by introducing major themes related to organizations, management, and the networked enterprise. It then provides the technical foundation for understanding information systems by examining hardware, software, database, and networking technologies along with tools and techniques for security and control. The journey continues by examining the core information system applications businesses are using today to improve operational excellence and decision making. Finally, the focus is on how to use the knowledge acquired earlier on in the course to analyze and design information system solutions to business problems.
More precisely, this course provides some practical answers for questions such as: What is an information system, and what are its management, organization, and technology dimensions? Why are information systems so essential in businesses today? Why are systems for collaboration and social business so important? How can information systems help businesses become more competitive? What broader ethical and social issues are raised by the widespread use of information systems? What technologies do businesses today need to accomplish their work? What do we need to know about these technologies to make sure they enhance the performance of the firm? How are these technologies likely to change in the future? What technologies and procedures are required to ensure that systems are reliable and secure? How can enterprise applications improve business performance? How do firms use e-commerce to extend the reach of their businesses? How can systems improve decision making and help companies benefit from artificial intelligence and knowledge management? How can we develop a solution to an information system problem that provides genuine business benefits? How can the firm adjust to the changes introduced by the new system solution? What alternative approaches are available for building system solutions?