ISYE102/ISE361/CTPR102/
ISYE361/ITEC104/MISY102
/MIS361
Course name:
Foundations of Information
Systems/Essential of
Information Technology
Adapted from:
Introduction to Information Systems Supporting and
Transforming Business, 5th Ed., R. KELLY RAINER, JR.
BRAD PRINCE 2022
&
Introduction to Information Systems, Pearson, Custom
Edition for Boston University. 2021
Compiled by course instructor:
Adacha Kwala
Table of contents
01 General Introduction to Information systems in organizations
02 Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
03 Data and Knowledge Management
04 Telecommunications and Networking
05 Social Computing
06 Data and Knowledge Management
07 E-Business and E-commerce
08 Wireless, Mobile Computing, and Mobile Commerce
09 Recent Technologies: Blockchain Technologies/ Artificial Intelligence
10 Information security and controls/ Ethics and Privacy
01
General Introduction to
Information systems in
organizations
02
Introduction to
Information Systems in
Organizations
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Information systems and Information technology
•
Information technology (IT) refers to any
computer- based tool that people use to
work with information and to support an
organization’s information and informationprocessing needs.
•
An
information
system
(IS)
collects,
processes, stores, analyzes, and disseminates
information for a specific purpose.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Why Study Information Systems?
✓
The first reason to learn about information systems and information
technology is to become an informed user; that is, a person knowledgeable
about ISs and IT. In general, informed users obtain greater value from
whichever technologies they use.
- Deeper Understanding: You'll gain insight into the IT applications
provided by your organization, understanding the technology behind what you
see on your screen.
- Enhancing IT Quality: Your knowledge allows you to contribute
valuable input, improving the quality of IT applications in your organization.
- Influence on IT Decisions: As a new graduate, you can quickly
recommend or help choose IT applications for your organization.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Cont’d
-Staying Updated: Being informed keeps you aware of the latest
technologies and their developments, helping you anticipate their impact and
make informed recommendations.
-Improving Productivity: You'll understand how IT can boost your
organization's performance, teamwork, and your own productivity.
-Entrepreneurial Advantage: If you plan to start your own business,
being an informed IT user will help you leverage technology effectively.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Why Study Information Systems?
• Connected Generation
-Today’s generation is the most connected in history.
- Referred to as Homo Conexus by MIT Technology Review.
•
Continuous Connectivity
-Always online and never out of touch.
-Use of digital devices for numerous tasks.
•
Information Overload
-Bombarded with more information than any previous generation.
•
Embedded IT
-IT is deeply embedded in daily routines.
-Daily life would be unrecognizable to a student from 20 years ago.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Why Study Information Systems?
• Online Activities
-Registering for classes, accessing syllabi, and taking online courses.
•
Financial Management
-Conducting banking, paying bills, and shopping online.
•
Job Search
-Searching and applying for jobs online
•
Content Creation
-Creating blogs, podcasts, and videos.
•
Social Media
-Designing pages on Facebook and LinkedIn.
•
Multimedia
-Uploading videos to YouTube and managing digital photos.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Cont’d
•
Continuous Computing
-Practicing continuous computing with a movable information network.
•
Digital Devices
-Cooperation among laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
•
Wired and Wireless Networks
-Accessing wired and wireless networks on the go.
•
Web-Based Tools
-Using web-based tools for information, communication, and collaboration.
•
Information Access
-Pulling information from anywhere, anytime.
•
Idea Sharing
-Pushing ideas back to the web via mobile devices.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Cont’d
✓
The second reason to learn about ISs and IT is that the organization you join
will undoubtedly be undergoing a digital transformation. In fact, digital
transformation has become one of the most important strategies for
organizations.
- Digital transformation is the business strategy that leverages IT to
dramatically
improve
employee,
customer,
and
business
partner
relationships; to support continuous improvement in business operations
and business processes; and to develop new business models and
businesses.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
MIS provides what users see and use on their computers.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
The information technologies that drive digital transformation include:
• Big Data
• Business analytics
• Social computing
• Mobile computing
• The Internet of Things
• Agile systems development methods
• Cloud computing
• Artificial intelligence
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Overview of Computer- Based Information Systems
• The MIS functional area is known by various names, including MIS Department, Information Systems
(IS) Department, Information Technology (IT) Department, and Information Services Department.
Regardless of the name, this area is responsible for planning, developing, managing, and using IT tools
to assist in information processing and management tasks.
• Information technology refers to any computer-based tool used to work with information and
support an organization's information-processing needs. The primary purpose of information systems is
to collect, process, store, analyze, and disseminate information, ensuring the right information is
delivered to the right people, at the right time, and in the right format. It's important to differentiate
between related terms: data (raw facts), information (processed data), and knowledge (applied
information).
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Overview of Computer- Based Information Systems
• Data refers to raw, unorganized facts or descriptions of things, events, activities, and transactions. These
can include numbers, letters, figures, sounds, and images, but by themselves, they lack specific meaning.
For example, collections of numbers (e.g., 3.11, 2.96) or characters (e.g., A, B, C) are data.
• Information is data that has been organized and processed to have meaning and value for the recipient.
For instance, a GPA by itself is just data, but when paired with a student's name, it becomes information
that can be interpreted and used to make decisions.
• Knowledge is derived from data and information that have been further organized and processed to
convey understanding, experience, and expertise relevant to a particular business problem. For example, a
company may use knowledge gained from past hiring successes to decide only to interview students with
GPAs over 3.0, as this information is linked to their hiring strategy. Knowledge is valuable because it
leverages information to solve specific problems.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Overview of Computer- Based Information Systems
Data, information, and knowledge.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Overview of Computer- Based Information Systems
•
Computer-Based Information Systems (CBIS):A Computer-Based Information System (CBIS) is an
information system that utilizes computer technology to carry out some or all of its tasks. While not all
information systems are computerized, most modern systems are, leading to the terms "information
system" and "computer-based information system" often being used interchangeably.
•
The basic components of a CBIS include several information technology components that interact to
form the system, as illustrated in the Figure below.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Overview of Computer- Based Information Systems
✓
Hardware consists of devices such as the processor, monitor, keyboard, and printer. Together, these
devices accept, process, and display data and information.
✓
Software is a program or collection of programs that enables the hardware to process data.
✓
A database is a collection of related files or tables containing data.
✓
A network is a connecting system (wireline or wireless) that enables multiple computers to share
resources.
✓
Procedures are the instructions for combining these components to process information and generate
the desired output.
✓
People use the hardware and software, interface with it, or utilize its output.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Overview of Computer- Based Information Systems
Computer- based information systems consist of hardware, software, databases, networks, procedures, and
people.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Information technology inside your organization.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
How Does IT Impact Organizations?
IT Impacts Entire Industries
✓
The Book Industry
✓
The Music Industry (www.iheartradio.ca)
✓
The Video Industry (www.netflix.com).
✓
The Software Industry (www.openhandsetalliance.com).
✓
The Videogame Industry (www.zynga.com)
✓
The Recruiting Industry (www.linkedin.com)
✓
The Marketing Industry (www.facebook.com)
✓
The Photography Industry (www.snapfish.com)
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
How Does IT Impact Organizations?
Cont’d
Software is also disrupting industries that operate primarily in the physical world. Consider these examples:
✓
Automobile Industry and IT: Modern cars rely on software to manage engines, safety features,
entertainment, navigation, and connectivity. Additional functions include mobile hotspots, fuel efficiency
optimization, and automated parking. The industry is moving toward networking vehicles together, paving
the way for self-driving cars, with companies like Google, Tesla, and Apple leading this innovation.
✓
Agriculture and IT: Agriculture increasingly relies on software for tasks like satellite soil analysis and peracre seed selection. Precision agriculture uses IT, including GPS-controlled driverless tractors, to ensure
crops receive optimal resources like water, fertilizer, and pesticides for maximum productivity.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
How Does IT Impact Organizations?
Cont’d
✓
Fashion Industry and IT: Rent the Runway has transformed the fashion industry by offering high-end
clothing rentals at low prices, challenging traditional retailers and prompting some to remove their
merchandise from the company's site.
✓
Legal Profession and IT: E-discovery software, like Blackstone Discovery, can analyze documents much
faster and cheaper than human lawyers. For instance, analyzing 1.5 million documents cost under
$100,000 with this software, compared to $1.5 million if done manually. Law firms are also adopting AI
tools like ROSS for legal research, such as in bankruptcy cases.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
How Does IT Impact Organizations?
Cont’d
Impact of IT on Management
IT Reduces the Number of Middle Managers
✓
IT boosts managerial productivity and enables a single manager to oversee more employees,
potentially reducing the number of managerial and expert roles. As a result, organizations may
have fewer managerial levels and staff, making promotions more competitive. Hence, excelling in
school is crucial for future career advancement.
IT Changes the Manager’s Job
✓
IT has significantly altered how managers make decisions by providing near real-time information,
which increases decision-making pressure and job stress. However, IT also offers tools like
business analytics applications, dashboards, search engines, and intranets to help managers
manage and analyze large volumes of information more effectively.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Importance of Information Systems to Society
IT Affects Our Quality of Life
Information Technology (IT) has a profound impact on our quality of life. It enables the workplace
to extend beyond the traditional 9-to-5 job at a central location, allowing for work flexibility
across various locations and times. This flexibility can enhance the quality of leisure time, even if it
doesn't increase the total amount of leisure time. However, IT can also blur the boundaries
between work and personal life, placing employees on "constant call." Many employees bring
laptops and smartphones on vacation, and a significant number continue to work or check emails
regularly while on vacation.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Cont’d
IT Impacts Health Care
Information Technology (IT) has significantly improved health care delivery. Medical professionals use
IT for faster and more accurate diagnoses, monitoring critically ill patients, and streamlining drug
research and development. Expert systems aid in disease diagnosis, and machine vision enhances
radiology. Surgeons use virtual reality for surgery planning, surgical robots for long-distance operations,
and video conferencing to discuss complex cases. Computer simulations allow doctors-in-training to
perform virtual procedures, reducing risk to real patients.
IT also enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of health care. For example, IBM Watson uses natural
language processing and machine learning to derive insights from large data sets. Administrative
systems play a critical role in health care, managing tasks like detecting insurance fraud, creating
nursing schedules, and handling financial and marketing management.
The big question…
Will IT Eliminate Jobs?
Job Security and IT:
•
Job security is a major concern for employees due to
relentless cost-cutting and layoffs in competitive
environments. Organizations aim to do more with less,
increasing the importance of demonstrating personal
value.
In
response
to
economic
pressures
and
competition, many companies invest more in IT. This
shift can lead to layoffs as machines replace people, but
IT also creates new job categories, such as electronic
medical record keeping and nanotechnology.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
IT Impacts Employees at Work
•
Computerization can lead to a loss of personal identity, making individuals feel like "just another
number" due to the reduced human element. The Internet further exacerbates this by
promoting activities like working and shopping from home, which may increase feelings of
isolation, depression, and loneliness.
-
IT Impacts Employees’ Health and Safety
-
While computers and information systems are seen as agents of progress, they can negatively
impact health and safety. Key issues include:
-
Job Stress: Increased workload and responsibilities due to computerization can lead to job
stress and anxiety, reducing productivity and harming physical and mental health. Management
can alleviate this by providing training, redistributing tasks, and hiring more staff.
-
Repetitive Strain Injuries: Long-term keyboard use can cause repetitive strain injuries like
backaches, muscle tension, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
IT Impacts Employees at Work
Ergonomic products protect computer users.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
IT Impacts Employees at Work
IT Provides Opportunities for People with Disabilities
•
Computers can enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities through
technologies like speech recognition and vision recognition. For example:
-Speech Recognition: Allows individuals who cannot type to use voice-operated keyboards.
-Remote Work: Enables those unable to travel to work from home.
Adaptive Equipment: Improves accessibility by adding features like audible screen tips and voice
interfaces to help people with impaired vision navigate graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
Quality of Life Improvements: Devices such as two-way writing telephones, robotic page turners, and
hospital bedside video tours of zoos or museums also enhance daily living for people with disabilities.
Specialized organizations focus on IT solutions designed for these needs.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
The Emergence of Cognitive Computing: IBM Watson
IBM (www.ibm.com) developed Watson specifically to answer questions on the quiz show Jeopardy!
In February 2011, Watson competed on Jeopardy! against former winners Brad Rutter and Ken
Jennings. Watson won the game series and received the first prize of US $1 million. (In Jeopardy! the
host reads the answer, and the contestants must then provide the
correct question.) Watson is an application of advanced natural language processing, information
retrieval, knowledge representation and reasoning, and machine learning technologies to the field of
answering open- domain (general) questions. IBM has labelled the type of processing demon started
by Watson as cognitive computing. Four primary capabilities distinguish Watson as a cognitive
system:
• the ability to understand human language, with all of its nuance and ambiguity;
• the ability to learn and absorb information;
• the ability to formulate hypotheses; and
• the ability to understand the context of a question
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Applications of IBM Watson:
Medicine: Watson helps doctors manage the vast amount of unstructured health data,
such as textbooks, journals, patient records, and physician notes. It aids in avoiding
medical errors and refining diagnoses, without replacing doctors. Watson has digested
millions of medical articles and clinical trial data, allowing it to monitor drug trials, assess
new therapies, analyze images like MRIs, and follow guidelines for optimal treatments. A
collaborative research initiative with Hamilton Health Sciences in Ontario focuses on
healthcare innovation.
Customer Service: Watson Engagement Advisor assists customer representatives by
quickly providing insights, addressing customer questions, guiding purchase decisions, and
troubleshooting issues. Notable companies using Watson include USAA, Genesys, and
DBS Bank of Singapore.
Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Summary
✓ Identify the reasons why being an informed user of information systems is important in today’s world
✓ Describe the various types of computer- based information systems in an organization.
✓ Discuss ways in which information technology can affect managers and nonmanagerial workers.
✓ Identify positive and negative societal effects of the increased use of information technology
Thanks!
Do you have any questions?
See you all in the next class…