The Ackoff’s Management Misinformation Systems is a case written by Russell L. Ackoff and it appeared in Management Sciences. Ackoff identified five assumptions regarding Management Information Systems and he explained why he disagreed with the assumptions. The five assumptions were:
1) Management needs more Information
2) Managers need the information they want
3) Giving Managers the information they need improves their decision making
4) More communication means better performance
5) Managers need only to understand how to use an information system
On the first assumption listed “Management needs more information” and Ackoff’s contention I have to disagree with certain parts of it. The assumption that MIS systems are
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I do agree with the assumption as well as Ackoff’s contention. If you provide a manager with the correct information their decision making becomes easier to handle. The manager doesn’t have to be looking for the information in multiple places from multiple people to be able to make the decision if the information needed is readily available. Ackoff’s conclusion it completely makes sense. Yes, it is true that it is necessary to determine how well managers will use the information to make decisions. Managers always learn from their decisions made either wrong or right.
The fourth assumption was “More communication means better performance” which to certain point I do agree, but I have to agree with Ackoff’s statement. Ackoff’s state that “when organizational units have inappropriate measures of performance that put them in conflict with each other, as is often the case, communication between them may hurt organizational performance, not help it.” I do agree with more communication across organizations is better, but that doesn’t mean the performance will improve. Let’s just say that the performance is not guarantee to improve. A department can communicate all day about their KPIs but another department might not make improvements to meet the needs of the department that is reporting the KPIs due to a
Modern organizations use a variety of resources to fulfill their objectives regardless if the company is a multinational or small entity, they all have a set of resources they depend on to achieve their goals. Part of the resource relied on is Information, and this information needs to be managed to optimize its value to produce the best stakeholder value they can. In order to manage these resources, Information Management systems are put in place.
This paper will discuss how an information system is critical to the business process of an organization and how the information has impacted the organization 's structure.
Banning (2008, p ) states knowledge for decision making is obtained from many sources and has been described as both informative
Therefore, this demonstrates that by undertaking the entity of codifying expectations for specific sharing of information, a firm will be able to illustrate the importance it brings about on communication improvements at the workplace effectively. Essentially, this entails that the loom of including an essential and better way of initiating communication in the workplace is a positive entity among the employees and the clients involved with the firm. This is so as it is an entity that will ensure that communication at the workplace is put into practice with the right desires. This is to ensure that better communication is seen and better targets that have been laid down are undertaken effectively and positive outcomes are witnessed. Thus, firms should take the approach of having a better improved communication network at the workplace, as it is an aspect that will definitely bring about positive implications at the workplace if rules laid down are followed effectively (Guffey & Almonte, 2010).
Not too long ago I believed that more information led to better decisions. Now I believe that too much information can be a disadvantage.
According to C. Cashmore and R. Lyall (1991), information needs of managers across the organisation can be linked to the decisions they make. They suggest these can be split into two broad categories:
Milakovich and Gordon state that central to decision making elements is the quality and quantity of information available. Decision makers needs to be informed to serve as a basis for
Meeting information requirements of management is a key focus for many organizations. Companies are constantly looking for ways to improve how they manage information. Information is essential for any decision making process and day-to-day operation. Therefore, it is important that information is managed and disseminated properly throughout the organization. Management use information to establish policy and strategic planning.
Management information systems, also known as MIS, are computer systems that direct business and organize operations or files. Many people wonder why
The malleability of human memory is a widely debated and researched topic in recent psychology due to our reliance on memory in almost every aspect of society, specifically in eyewitness testimonies. If a witness testifies to their memory of an event, then how could they possibly get the details wrong? Research shows that a large portion of human memory is actually reconstructive—essentially, we unconsciously alter or attend to specific aspects of memory according to our emotions, expectations and prior knowledge (Howe & Knott, 2015). This theory is most apparent in the psychological phenomenon referred to as “the misinformation effect”, the idea that introducing a person to false information, even after encoding, can cause them to unconsciously
The management information systems implemented within an organisation can be paper, computer or human-based; serving to produce timely information, usually of a historical manner, to allow management to initiate business processes and form decisions (Cox, 2014).
It is generally accepted that information is a vital commodity for the successful operation of today’s organizations. Nowadays modern business organizations are using computerized information systems in order to obtain such information. However as the technology advances rapidly the main issue is how can an organization should effectively use such an information system - which its management sometimes can be unpredictable - in order to effectively help the whole organization structure to improve and take the most out of it.
The purpose of this report is to explain what “Management Information Systems” (MIS) is. This report will discuss how management information system helps different departments in an organization. The functions and advantages of using MIS will also be examined in this report.
I agree with the statement above on the basis that communication is the most important thing when it comes to working in unison. Over time, the top levels of management tend to become isolated from the rest of the organization. A chasm develops those results in a gap in communication, mutual understanding, and/or acceptance of new ideas and knowledge. Without proper communication from managers, the organization will lose focus and their effectiveness will decrease.
There are very many types of information systems. Classification of information systems follows the organizational levels in which they are used or installed for use. For instance, there are management information systems; some of which will be covered in this project report. Management information systems (MIS), helps businesses meet their business objectives. Almost all organizations and businesses today use management information systems; be it large, small, startup or an established multi-national. This is for the sole reason that information systems have evolved from just being a tool to gain competitive advantage for businesses, to a vital tool, a necessity in the digital age we live in. Management Information Systems help managers make better-informed decisions and communicate with their superiors, as well as with all the stakeholders in the businesses their organizations are involved in.