| A textbook consists of two key ingredients—the selection of topics
and their organization. These ingredients have always received top priority
in Management Information Systems; but because of the dynamic nature of
the computer field, the task becomes more difficult with successive editions.
Each year there are numerous new topics, and decisions must be made
concerning where to put them and what old topics, if any, to discard.
Although these can be tough decisions, two situations make the job easier.
First, there are many more sources of material today than there were in
the past. When the first edition of Management Information Systems was
published in 1979, one good reference on a topic was considered a gold
mine. Fortunately, that situation has changed.
Today there are many excellent sources for each topic, making it possible
to provide complete descriptions from several points of view. The second
situation that simplifies the job of writing an MIS text is the fact that
the underlying theory does not change that much. The theory provides the
framework for the technology and is relatively stable. So, when someone
writes a new edition, it is not like starting out with a clean slate,
wondering what the first word should be. Management Information Systems
has always enjoyed a strong brand loyalty among the instructors who adopt
and use it. The main reason is that students like it. In their course
evaluations, students consistently give the text a good rating, their
comments indicating that they like the logical organization and the clear
descriptions. Supporting these two features is the strong theoretical
base.
Logical Textbook Organization: You will find this eighth edition
well organized, with the topics flowing logically within each part and
each chapter. Terms are not used in a chapter without first defining them.
Thorough Explanations: This edition upholds its tradition of
complete coverage of each topic that is introduced. Emphasis has never
been on the number of topics covered but, rather, on the number covered
well.
Solid Theoretical Base: The framework for the text consists of
approximately 400 illustrations in the form of schematic diagrams, or
models. Some of the models were created over the years by experts in the
field, and their contributions are acknowledged. Most, however, are unique
to this text. The diagrams provide a road map, making it easier to learn
the material so that students can apply it in their careers.
These three features—good organization, thorough explanations,
and a solid theoretical base—give students an advantage in learning
about the complex and changing field of business computing.
A Management Orientation
Like the previous editions, the eighth edition views computer use through
the eyes of the manager. The management orientation has always seemed
appropriate, but the case is even stronger today with so many managers
personally using their computers to produce information. When students
later become managers, they will have many opportunities to apply the
text material. Perhaps, however, they are primarily interested in computers
and want to become computer specialists. As systems analysts, network
specialists, or database administrators, they will apply the material
as they work with managers in developing managerial systems. Of course,
before long they may become managers themselves in the information systems
area. So, regardless of the position of the computer specialist in the
organization, he or she will benefit from seeing problems from management's
point of view. This text will give students that perspective.
New to This Edition WEBSITE SUPPORT: The Prentice Hall Companion
Website for the Eighth Edition features new projects, two for each chapter
of the text, within the Interactive Study Guide. The student side of.
the site provides the projects and instructions for completing them. The
instructor side of the site' contains the projects, the project answers,
and materials for helping students having difficulty with the projects.
These new Companion Website projects are designed to reinforce concepts
presented in the' chapter. Students also derive skills in the use of technology
as they solve the projects. Project exercises incorporate spreadsheets,
database queries and reports, word processing, and web page development
into their design.
The book's Internet address is: prenhall/mcleod NEW AND UPDATED CHAPTERS:
This edition includes one completely new chapter—Chapter 15, Enterprise
Information Systems. The textbook has always given strong attention to
such organizational information systems as executive information systems
and marketing information systems, and that emphasis is continued. Chapter
15 serves to address business computing from an organization-wide perspective—an
approach that is currently receiving much attention on a global scale.
In addition to this new chapter, many substantive changes have been made
to other chapters.
Part Three, which covers computer technology, has been completely rewritten.
Chapter 8, Fundamentals of Computer Processing, has been updated with
current hardware and software examples. Chapter 9, The Database and Database
Management System, and Chapter 10, Data Communications, have also been
completely revised.
All of these changes serve to keep the text up-to-date in areas of technology
and methodology. Boxed Inserts All chapters contain a boxed insert entitled
"Highlights in MIS" that relates the chapter mated to the use of information
technology in business and industrial organizations. In essence, these
inserts describe how firms have been both successful and unsuccessful
in applying the principles of information management.
Examples of Applying the Systems Approach Chapter 6 describes the basic
problem-solving methodology—the systems approach. From that point
on, each chapter includes a section called "Applying the Systems Approach,"
which discusses how this approach can be applied to the chapter material.
These sections continue the systems focus long after the fundamentals
are presented early in the text.
Updated Appendixes
In addition to the chapters, there are five appendixes. Two deal with
the tools of systems development data and process modeling. These topics
are of most interest to information specialist but can have value to users
engaged in end-user computing. Data modeling is accomplished by using
entity-relationship diagrams and data dictionaries to document the firm's
data. Process modeling is accomplished by using data flow diagrams and
structured English.
Three additional appendixes deal with organizational information systems-manufacturing
information systems, financial information systems, and human resources
information systems' These three appendixes complete the coverage of computer
use by the major business areas.
Modular Organization of the Chapters
The text is divided into six parts.
Part One: The Computer as an Organizational Information –
System Part One consists of five chapters and provides the course foundation.
Regardless of the course approach, Chapters 1, 2, and 3-Introduction to
the Computer-Based Information System, Using Information Technology for
Competitive Advantage, and Using Information Technology to Engage in Electronic
Commerce-should always be covered first. They capture the essence of contemporary
computer use in business. The next two chapters—chapter 4, Computer
Use in an International Marketplace; and chapter 5, Ethical Implications
of Information Technology—should be included in the course foundation
when the text is used in an introduction to computing course required
of all business majors.
Part Two: Systems Methodologies – With the foundation laid,
the instructor can take the remaining parts in any order, depending on
the emphasis desired. Part Two consists of two chapters: chapter 6, Systems
Concepts; and chapter 7, System Life Cycle Methodologies. |
