Introduction
The field of management information systems (MIS) is one of the most exciting in business today. Information systems and information technologies are changing rapidly and creating new opportunities to transform how business is carried out. This first lesson introduces you to management information systems—what they are, how they are being used, the changes that characterize the field, and how these changes impact organizations. One of the most important parts of this lesson is that it situates MIS as a sociotechnical field. A common misperception about the field of MIS is that it is all about the technical. Certainly, technology is a central aspect, but equally vital are social and organizational elements. In addition to technology knowledge, MIS leaders must understand, among other things, how to encourage users to use technology how to manage the implementation process how decision making is carried out in the organization how to align MIS and organizational strategy how to manage innovation how to negotiate and manage vendors and other partners how to align business process and technology.
As you can see, these are not primarily technical and yet they form critical aspects of the MIS function. This discussion positions you to understand the rest of the course—you will learn about technologies but equally important is your learning of the social and organizational elements of this
Lesson 1: Information Systems in Global Business Today
Readings and Objectives
Read
Chapter 1 in the textbook
Learning Track 1: How Much Does IT Matter*
Learning Track 2: Information Systems and Its Career**[On the textbook companion website. Select the chapter number from the Home / Select Chapter bar under the page heading, then click Learning Track Modules.]
Learning ObjectivesAfter completing Lesson 1, you will be able to explain how information systems are transforming business.