You Mean MIS (Management Information System)?

Management Information System (MIS)

Very many definitions of MIS have appeared in literature. Sirpal (2011, p. 6) of Delhi University Computer Centre wrote: “MIS refers broadly to a computer-based system that provides managers with the tools for organizing, evaluating and efficiently running their departments.” To Commonwealth Higher Education Management Service (2007, p. 1) MIS is “the organisation of the basic operating systems…so that they provide the information that managers at all levels need”. Geerders (2004) said that it was integrated data sources and information systems which met the particular needs and requirements of planning and decision-making. Earlier definitions included those of Oz (2002), Aktas (1987), Hicks (1987), Murdick 1986) and Stoner (1982).

These definitions are intelligent and describe MIS as playing an essential role in the life of an organization. In practice, however, what is found is just a watermark of the various conceptualizations. MIS is really more than what many people think it is.

In many organizations in developing countries (specifically in Africa), the overall purpose of MIS is often lost in the thought that it is all about computer operations.  Such MIS—predominant in the universities—exists solely for keeping databases and ensuring that Ethernet and/or wireless computer networks are functioning for steady Internet connection to enable staff to do online searches and to receive and send e-mail.  For example, by an assessment, done by Nigeria’s National Universities Commission, of performances of MIS operations in Nigerian universities, 71.4% of the institutions scored from 50% to 100%, and the remaining 28.6% scored 20% - 37.5%.  This evaluation, which gives the impression that MIS in Nigerian universities is very good, was based chiefly on the types of computers owned, their peripherals and networking and the capture of students and staff data using Nigerian Universities Management Information System (NUMIS) software. Data processing and analysis and information production and communication—which are central MIS functions—were not considered.  Also these computer operations focused MISs, to a large extent, manage Web sites and portals and repair computers throughout the organization. 

The truth remains that generally “information system does not have to include electronic equipment” (Oz 2002, p. 15), although for a long time now, to aid fast data processing and information delivery, computer and its networks have been a key component of information systems. Indeed, computers and computer-designed databases are necessary in today’s MIS, but, like in Rolls-Royce before 1998 (Yusuf et al, 2004), if managers do not have access consistently to accurate data they require to make goal-oriented decisions and to assess performance, those resources constitute a big waste.

At present, many existing MISs are either not actually a MIS or inadequate. Also a large number of medium-sized and large organizations do not own a MIS. A real MIS is "any setup in an organization which, based on identified and perceived needs, collects, collates, stores, retrieves, analyzes and processes data cost-effectively into structured, accurate and relevant information and delivers the information promptly to managers to help them to plan, make decisions, control, monitor and evaluate effectively to achieve the strategic goals of all operations of the organization" (Njoku, 2013, p. ). The organization’s managers and information system/information technology staff must work together to carefully plan for provision and harmonious functioning of the essential components of a MIS.

REFERENCES

Aktas, A. Z. (1987). Structural analysis and design of information systems. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

Commonwealth Higher Education Management Service (2007). Introducing management information systems in universities. London: Commonwealth Higher Education Management Service.

Geerders, P. (2004). Management information systems. Netherlands: CTA.

Hicks. J. O., Jr. (1987). Management information systems: A user perspective. 2nd ed. Minnesota West: St. Paul.

Murdick, R. G. (1986). MIS concepts and design. 2nd ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

National Universities Commission (2006). Management information system for Nigerian universities. Abuja, Nigeria: National Universities Commission.

Njoku, C. P. U. (2013). Establishing and Managing Management Information Systems in Developing Countries. International Journal of Knowledge and Research in Management and E-Commerce, 3(4), 19-30.

Oz, E. (2002). Management information systems. 3rd ed. Washington, D.C.: Course Technology. 

Sirpal, S. (2011). MIS concepts and design. New Delhi, India: Delhi University.

Stoner, J. A. F. (1982). Management. 2nd ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. 

Yusuf, Y., Gunasekaran, A., & Abthorpe, M. S. (2004). Enterprise information systems project implementation: a case study of ERP in Rolls-Royce. International journal of production economics 87, 251–266.