Kenneth C. Laudon,Jane P. Laudon Management Information System 12th Edition pdf

information systems literacy

. 

Computer literacy

, in contrast,

focuses primarily on knowledge of information technology.

The field of 

management information systems (MIS)

tries to achieve this

broader information systems literacy. MIS deals with behavioral issues as well

Chapter 1

Information Systems in Global Business Today

17

FIGURE 1-4

FUNCTIONS OF AN INFORMATION SYSTEM 

An information system contains information about an organization and its surrounding environment.

Three basic activities—input, processing, and output—produce the information organizations need.

Feedback is output returned to appropriate people or activities in the organization to evaluate and

refine the input. Environmental actors, such as customers, suppliers, competitors, stockholders, and

regulatory agencies, interact with the organization and its information systems.

---

18

Part One

Organizations, Management, and the Networked Enterprise

as technical issues surrounding the development, use, and impact of informa-

tion systems used by managers and employees in the firm.

Let’s examine each of the dimensions of information systems—organizations,

management, and information technology.

O r g a n i z a t i o n s

Information systems are an integral part of organizations. Indeed, for some

companies, such as credit reporting firms, there would be no business without

an information system. The key elements of an organization are its people,

structure, business processes, politics, and culture. We introduce these

components of organizations here and describe them in greater detail in

Chapters 2 and 3. 

Organizations have a structure that is composed of different levels and

specialties. Their structures reveal a clear-cut division of labor. Authority and

responsibility in a business firm are organized as a hierarchy, or a pyramid

structure. The upper levels of the hierarchy consist of managerial, professional,

and technical employees, whereas the lower levels consist of operational

personnel.