PART I. MIS: AN INTRODUCTION 1 1. MIS: An Overview 1 Box: Existing Information Resources Can Give You the Competitive 2 Edge 3 At a Glance 4 Introduction 4 Definition 5 Integrated System 6 Computer-Based System 6 User-Machine Interface 9 MIS: How Did We Get Here? 10 Stages of Technical Change 10 Where Is MIS Going? 13 Decision Support and Expert Systems 14 Office Support Systems 16 End User Computing 16 The Role of the Personal Computer 17 The Rising Tide of Information Management 17 MIS Issues and Directions 19 How This Text Is Organized 20 Summary 22 Key Terms 24 Review Questions 24 Application Problems 25 Selected References 26 2. The Characteristics and Structure of Management Information Systems 28 Box: A Psychoanalytic Approach to MIS 29 At a Glance 30 Introduction 30 MIS Structure Classifications 31 MIS Structure Based on Physical Components 31 MIS Structure Based on Managerial Levels 33 Support for Decision Making 35 Degree of Centralization 36 MIS and DSS: What Is the Difference? 37 Decision Support Systems: An Overview 37 DSS as Perceived by Top Management 41 Implications for MIS 42 Management Issues 42 Management Support 43 The Executive Workstation 43 The Economic Factor 44 Summary 45 Key Terms 46 Review Questions 46 Application Problems 47 Selected References 48 PART II. INFORMATION SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY 51 3. How Computers Work 52 Box: Driving by the Glow of a Screen 53 At a Glance 54 Introduction 54 Computer Generations 55 Computer Classifications 56 Analog, Digital, and Hybrid Computers 56 Business-Oriented and Scientific Computers 57 Processor Power 57 Main Memory and Data Representation 62 Instructing the Computer 64 How Are Data Represented in Memory? 65 Computer Architecture 67 Secondary Storage 68 Floppy Disk 69 Hard Disk: How Does It Work? 71 Magnetic Tape 72 The Computer at Work 73 Computer Processing Cycle 74 Entering Data into the Computer 76 The Personal Computer as a Terminal 78 Special Input Devices 79 Output from the Computer 80 Print Devices 82 Voice Output Devices 85 Implications for MIS 87 Summary 88 Key Terms 89 Review Questions 90 Application Problems 91 Selected References 92 4. Computer Software 94 Box: Developers Pick BASIC for High Productivity 95 At a Glance 96 Introduction 96 The Characteristics of Software 97 How Is Software Acquired? 98 The Application Program in the System Life Cycle 99 How Are Programs Developed? 100 Flowcharting and Pseudocode 101 Coding Program Design 101 Testing Software 102 Program Documentation 102 Programming Languages 104 Machine Languages 104 Assembly Languages 105 High-Level or Procedural Languages 105 Fourth-Generation Languages 108 What Language Is Best for You? 118 Generic Packages 121 Application Development Without Conventional Programming 124 The Software 124 Implications for MIS 126 Summary 127 Key Terms 129 Review Questions 129 Application Problems 130 Selected References 132 5. File Organization and Data Retrieval 133 Box: Hard Disks 134 At a Glance 135 Introduction 135 How Are Data Stored? 136 Data Entities 137 Records and Files 138 File Organization Methods 139 Which Method Is Best? 150 Establishing Relationships 151 Physical Proximity 151 Pointers 152 Chains 152 Supporting Data Structures in Ordering Records 152 Implications for MIS 157 Summary 157 Key Terms 158 Review Questions 159 Application Problems 159 Selected References 160 6. Database Management 162 Box: Designing a Database Application 163 At a Glance 164 Introduction 164 What Is a Database? 165 Objectives 167 Pros and Cons 168 Key Terms 168 Logical and Physical Views of Data 170 The Database Management System (DBMS) 172 Data Structure 174 Types of Data Relationships 175 Types of Data Structures 176 Normalization 184 Implications for MIS 187 Summary 188 Key Terms 190 Review Questions 190 Application Problems 191 Selected References 193 7. Data Communication and Networking 194 Box: Send It By Satellite 195 At a Glance 196 Introduction 196 Definition 198 Application Categories 199 Information Inquiry and Retrieval 199 Source Data Entry 199 Elements of a Telecommunication System 200 Terminals 201 Modems 201 Telecommunication Channels 201 Front End Processors 210 Telecommunications Computers 210 Transmission Speed and Data Traffic 210 Types of Channels 211 Mode of Transmission 212 Line Configurations 212 Common Carriers and Services 213 Services 214 The Value-Added Network (VAN) 214 The Local Area Network (LAN) 214 Typologies of the Network 215 Transmission Techniques 217 Protocol 220 PCnet: An Illustration 220 What to Consider in LAN Selection 221 Implications for MIS 224 Summary 224 Key Terms 226 Review Questions 226 Application Problems 227 Selected References 230 8. The Decision-Making Process 232 Box: Litton Resources Solution: Cullinet 233 At a Glance 234 Introduction 234 Problem Solving 235 The Decision-Making Process 237 Definition 237 Criteria for Decision Making 239 The Decision-Making System 240 Conceptual Models 241 Information Systems and Decision Performance 244 Models in Decision Making 244 Management Science Models 244 Behavioral Models 250 The Value of Information 252 Implications for MIS 253 Summary 254 Key Terms 256 Review Questions 257 Application Problems 257 Selected References 259 9. Decision Support Systems (DSS) 261 Box: Planning and Building a DSS 262 At a Glance 263 Introduction 263 Characteristics of DSS 264 Components of DSS 265 Requirements for an Effective DSS 268 DSS and Decision Making 269 Examples of Decision Support Systems 271 Evaluating DSS 272 The Evolving Roles of DSS 272 Key Roles 274 The Expanding Role of Graphics 276 The Role of the Microcomputer 281 The Role of Management 283 Implications for MIS 284 Summary 285 Key Terms 286 Review Questions 286 Application Problems 287 Selected References 288 PART III. DECISION SUPPORT AND END USER COMPUTING 291 10. DSS Software and Tools 292 Box: DSS at Phillips Gushes Strategic Information 293 At a Glance 294 Introduction 294 Trends in DSS Software 295 Software Selection Criteria 296 General Considerations 297 Technical Considerations 298 Vendor Considerations 302 Cost Considerations 302 Developing a Decision Support System 304 The Model Generator 305 The Spreadsheet 306 Implications for MIS 312 Summary 313 Key Terms 315 Review Questions 315 Application Problems 316 Selected References 317 11. Office Automation and End User Computing 319 Box: Computer-Based Training Tutors Ensure Quality Education 320 At a Glance 321 Introduction 321 The Knowledge Worker and Office Automation 322 The Intelligent Workstation 323 Message and Document Communication 328 Electronic Message Systems (EMS) 328 End User Computing 331 Who Is the End User? 331 The Emerging End User Environment 333 Fourth-Generation Languages 338 The Managerial Role 340 Support Facilities 340 The Role of End User Training 342 Implications for MIS 344 Summary 345 Key Terms 346 Review Questions 347 Application Problems 348 Selected References 350 12. Expert Systems 351 Box: Purdue System Aids Farmers 352 At a Glance 353 Introduction 353 What Is Artificial Intelligence? 355 Definition 356 Arguments Against Computer "Intelligence" 356 Historical Developments 357 Expert Systems 358 Knowledge Engineering 360 Knowledge Representation 361 Drawing Inferences 367 Expert Languages 367 PROLOG (PROgramming Language for LOGic) 368 Tools and Applications 371 Early Systems 371 Commercial Systems 371 Implications for MIS 373 Summary 375 Key Terms 377 Review Questions 377 Application Problems 378 Selected References 380 PART IV. APPLICATION PLANNING AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT 383 13. MIS Planning 384 Box: Planning Amid Change 385 At a Glance 386 Introduction 386 The Components of Organizational Planning 387 Mission 387 Goals 388 Strategies 389 Bases for MIS Planning 389 Evolutionary Stages in Planning 390 Dimensions of MIS Planning 392 Strategic Planning 392 Managerial and Operational Planning 396 Linking Corporate and MIS Planning 396 A Three-Stage MIS Planning Model 397 Strategic Planning 398 Analysis of Organizational Information Requirements 398 Resource Allocation Planning 399 MIS Planning Methodologies 399 Strategic Planning Methodology 399 Corporate Information Requirements Analysis Methodologies 400 Resource Allocation Planning 407 Implications for MIS 408 Summary 408 Key Terms 410 Review Questions 410 Application Problems 412 Selected References 413 14. Determining Information System Requirements 415 Box: The Orderly Ways of Analysts 416 At a Glance 417 Introduction 417 The System Development Life Cycle 418 Formal SDLC Methodologies: An Example 420 The Initial Investigation 422 Determining the User's Information Requirements 422 Fact Finding 427 Determination of Feasibility 439 Steps in Feasibility Analysis 440 The Feasibility Report 440 Cost/Benefit Analysis 442 Value of Information in Analysis 445 The Role of the Systems Analyst 445 What Does It Take to Do Systems Work? 445 The Multiple Role of the Analyst 446 Behavioral Issues 447 Place in the MIS Organization 447 Summary 448 Key Terms 449 Review Questions 450 Application Problems 452 Selected References 454 15. System Design 456 Box: Accelerated Design Speeds the Application Development Cycle 457 At a Glance 458 Introduction 458 The Design Process 459 Tools for Structured Design 459 Automated Design Tools: The Excelerator 463 Design Activities 465 Output Design 467 Input Design 470 File Design 473 Software Design 477 Analyst-User Differences and System Design 478 The Role of the Auditor 478 Summary 479 Key Terms 480 Review Questions 480 Application Problems 481 Selected References 482 16. Hardware/Software Acquisition 484 Box: Who's Responsible for the Bugs? 485 At a Glance 486 Introduction 486 The Hardware/Software Industry 487 Hardware Vendors 487 Software Vendors 488 Service Vendors 488 Procedure for Hardware/Software Selection 489 Requirements Analysis 490 Request for Proposal (RFP) 491 Evaluation and Validation 491 The Purchase-Lease Decision 498 The Purchase Option 498 The Lease Option 498 Evaluating Lease Versus Purchase 498 Negotiating the Computer Contract 500 Vendor-User Relationships: The Duty of Honesty 500 Learn to Negotiate 500 Remedies and Responsibilities 502 What to Look for in a Computer Contract 502 Conclusions 503 The IBM Contract: A Case Illustration 504 Implications for MIS 504 Summary 505 Key Terms 506 Review Questions 506 Application Problems 507 Selected References 509 17. Implementing Information Systems 510 Box: Holiday Fire Puts Firm's Disaster Plan to the Test 511 At a Glance 512 Introduction 512 The Nature of Testing 513 The Test Plan 514 Test Methodology 514 Quality Assurance 516 System Implementation 517 Conversion 517 User Training 519 Postimplementation Review 522 Security Considerations 523 Disaster Recovery 524 Implications for MIS 526 Summary 527 Key Terms 528 Review Questions 529 Application Problems 529 Selected References 530 PART V. MANAGERIAL CONSIDERATIONS 533 18. Managing MIS Personnel 534 Box: Managing Your Boss 535 At a Glance 536 Introduction 537 The Scope of MIS Management 537 The Role of the MIS Manager 537 The Organizing Function 538 Centralization Versus Decentralization 539 The Organization Structure 541 Managing Information Systems Personnel 543 Occupational Positions 543 Selection Guidelines and Procedures 546 Staffing Guidelines 546 Sources of Information Systems Personnel 549 Procedure for Selection 550 Motivation of Information Systems Personnel 553 Career Path Planning 553 The Concept of "Career" and Career Planning 554 Career Choice and Work Adjustment 556 The Career Planning Cycle 556 Implications for MIS 558 Summary 560 Key Terms 561 Review Questions 561 Application Problems 562 Selected References 565 19. MIS: Trends and Directions 566 Box: Connectivity: Strategic DP Top User Concerns 567 At a Glance 568 Introduction 568 The Human Factor 569 User Friendliness 569 Pairing Technology with People 570 The Office of the Future 571 Trends in Office Automation 572 Executive Use of Time 573 Directions in Electronic Messaging 574 Impact on Jobs 575 Leveraging Information Technology Through Networks 575 The Role of the Personal Computer 576 The Role of the Executive 579 Micro-Mainframe Graphics Linkage 580 The Future of Languages 581 Ethical Issues 582 In Retrospect 583 Summary 584 Key Terms 585 Review Questions 585 Application Problems 586 Selected References 587 Glossary 589 Index 609