Impact of Computers and Management Information Systems on Society and Commerce

IMPACT OF COMPUTERS AND

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

ON SOCIETY AND COMMERCE

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

COURSE WORK

Presented to the Faculty of Preston University

In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for the

Degree of

Master in Business Administration

By

Boniface Naoussi Zoua

CONTENTS

Introduction 01

1 - Computers-MIS and Individuals 02

2 - Computers-MIS and jobs 02

2.1. - People with Physical Disabilities. 03

2.2. - Telecommuting 03

3 - Computers-MIS and Education and training 03

4 - Computers-MIS and Government 04

5 - Computers-MIS and Crime. 04

6 - Computers-MIS and Social interactions 05

7 - Impact of Computers-MIS on Business and Commerce 05

Conclusion 07

Recommendations 08

References 08

Appendix A - Major historical developments in computer-based information systems 09

i

Introduction

From the very beginning, computers have helped business tackle basic operations -collecting data, handling transactions, and creating reports. Today, businesses and managers would find it difficult or impossible to function without information systems. Electronic business and electronic commerce have gone a step further and have moved all of the major transactions online. Supporting modern transactions and operations requires networks and increasingly complex security controls.

All managers perform tasks like writing, scheduling, calculating, and graphing. One of the most powerful uses of information systems lies in helping managers with these personal applications. Hundreds of tools exist to help managers with their daily tasks.

Networks and the Internet are crucial to any business today. Networks are used to share data, support teamwork, and build relationships with customers and suppliers. They make it possible to support new forms of business and change the way firms are managed.

As more aspects of our daily lives move online, security and privacy become critical elements to everyone. Businesses have obligations to protect resources and data. These protections need to be integrated into the heart of every business technology plan. As technology becomes more widespread and integrated into more aspects of our lives, everyone needs to consider the effects of various security policies.

The heart of any company is its daily operations. Whether the company manufactures products or provides services, basic operations must be performed continuously. These operations give rise to transactions with suppliers, customers, employees, other firms, and government agencies. Transactions must be recorded, aggregated, and analyzed. Information systems are crucial to maintaining, searching, and analyzing transactions.

To better understand the impact computers and MIS (or simply put, computer information technology) have had on society, we will examine CIT influence on the following social areas: personal (individual), jobs, education, government, social interactions, and business or commerce. The section on historical developments (appendix A) will help us understand how the evolution of CIT has led to the development of more complex but more efficient tools for enhancing progress and advancement of humanity.

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1 - Computers-MIS and Individuals

Information technology has impacted individuals in various ways. Data about individuals is collected, processed and evaluated using computers. Companies, governments and employers collect and use data about many aspects of individuals' lives. Marketing and sales have been improved by maintaining databases of consumer information and by tracking sales and preferences at the customer level. Through computer technology, individuals are able to access information on job opportunities, new careers and retraining possibilities. IT has improved individual's business transactions, for example, automated billing and use of credit cards have facilitated transactions. Customers can now carry out transactions at any time, even through ATM. Robotics are being used in some industries to perform certain jobs hitherto performed by humans -dehumanization. It should, however be noted that technology's effects on individuals have not been all beneficial. It has negative effects.

Loss of privacy, depersonalization, and changing incentives or motivations are some side effects of computers and MIS on individuals. Employee and government privacy have often been violated through use of computers. Computers can automatically track all of the work done by each person and some local area networks enable managers to see exactly what every employee is doing without the employees knowing they are being watched (spied on.) Some employers even read their employees' electronic mail messages. Although legal in the US, this is unethical. Most governments collect health data, police records, driving records, international travel, and detailed financial data for taxes. Computers have been used to spy on businesses, political leaders or journalists and this has often caused serious problems. Collecting data on targeted individuals such as dissidents or minorities has stifled innovation.

2 - Computers-MIS and jobs

Increase in technology during the last 100 years has led to increase in the number of jobs and a rise in the standard of living of most workers. Experts have demonstrated that new technology creates demand for designers, manufacturing firms to produce it, and people to maintain and repair it. Computer hardware also creates demands