MIS and the Organization
Question 1: Explain supply chain management.
Answer 1: The supply chain is the series of events that must take place in order for a company’s goods and services to flow from suppliers to customers. Supply chain management is the management of these events. Activities in the supply chain are:Predicting demand for the product.Determining a production schedule to meet demand.Setting up transportation networks to deliver product.Acquiring additional products from suppliers.Receiving products shipped from suppliers.Inventory management at all levels of production.Producing the product.Delivering the product to customers.Tracking the product through the entire production/delivery process.Every step of the supply chain can be enhanced and improved through MIS.
There are lots of good resources about MIS that you can find available.
Question 2: List and describe the four dimensions of information provided by MIS and how they help the overall enterprise.
Answer 2: All information carries four basic dimensions that contribute to the information’s value to the firm:Relevance. Information is more valuable when it directly relates to the firm’s functions and needs.Accuracy. Accuracy is most important in financial applications. Other applications for information, such as trend forecasting, do not require perfect accuracy.Timeliness. The availability of extensive, accurate information before a crisis occurs can alert managers to potential problems in time to avert the crisis.Completeness. MIS should be able to provide a full, complete picture of any aspect of the firm. However, users should be able to limit this picture to their own needs to prevent information overload, which can obscure possible solutions to problems or make it hard to see where problems might be developing.
Question 3: Explain strategic planning in a company and how MIS supports this function.
Answer 3: Strategic planning occurs at the highest management level of a company. Typically, this function is performed by the CEO, or chief executive officer, and other members of a company’s executive committee, including those in charge of the company’s individual business areas. MIS provides information for these executives to make decisions regarding the overall strategic plan for the entire company. Often the CIO, or chief information officer, is also involved in strategic planning. This officer oversees MIS throughout the company and ensures that MIS provides appropriate and necessary information to all departments.
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