Transcript Technology - drfredmugambi.com

Technology and Management
Dr. Fred Mugambi Mwirigi
JKUAT
Introduction
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Technology is important in modern
management
It aids innovation, information flow and
overall improvement of efficiency
It ensures that information is being used
most effectively with the consumer in
mind.
Types of innovation
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Radical innovation
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Incremental innovation
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Paradigm shift
Kaizen
Routine innovation (rationalization and
reengineering)
Linkage between science and
technology
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Scientific discovery
Technological innovation
Intermediated by invention/innovation
intention
Tested by market and customer
appraisal
Role of technology
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Quick and accurate decision making
Enhanced efficiency
Increased productivity
Reduction of loss and wastage
System integration
Aided information flow
Engines of innovation
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The right working environment
Innovative and risk taking culture
Communication and dialogue
Continuous questioning of current reality
(inquisitiveness)
Incentives
Technology and information
flow
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Information is key to effective decision
making
Technology can help enhance the flow of
information for timely and informed
management decisions to be made
Types of Information Systems
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Transaction Processing Systems
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Systems designed to handle large volumes
of routine transactions.
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Were the first computer-based information
systems handling billing, payroll, and supplier
payments.
Types of Information Systems
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Operations Information Systems
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Systems that gather, organize, and summarize
comprehensive data in a form of value to
managers.
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Can help managers with non-routine decisions such
as customer service and productivity.
Types of Information Systems
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Decision Support Systems
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Provides computer-built models that help
managers make better non-programmed
decisions.
New productive capacity, new product
development, launch a new promotional
campaign, enter a new market or expand
internationally
Types of Information Systems
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Executive Support System
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Sophisticated version of a decision support
system designed to meet the needs of top
managers
Group Decision Support System
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An executive support system that links top
managers so that they can function as a team.
Expert Systems and Artificial Intelligence
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Artificial Intelligence
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Behavior by a machine that, if performed by
a human being, would be called “intelligent”
Already possible to write programs that can
solve problems and perform simple tasks
Expert Systems and Artificial Intelligence
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Expert Systems
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Most advanced management information
systems available
System that employs human knowledge,
embedded in computer software, to solve
problems that ordinarily require human
expertise
Enterprise Resource Planning
Systems
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Enterprise Resource Planning
Systems
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multi-module application software packages
that allow a company to link and coordinate
the entire set of functional activities and
operations necessary to move products from
the initial product design stage to the final
customer stage
Enterprise Resource Planning
Systems
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Help each individual function improve its
functional-level skills
Improve integration among all functions
so that they work together to build a
competitive advantage for the company
Types of Information Systems
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E-Commerce Systems
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Trade that takes place between companies,
and between companies and individual
customers, using IT and
the Internet
Types of E-Commerce
E-Commerce Systems
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Business-to-business (B2B)
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trade that takes place between companies
using IT and the Internet to link and
coordinate the value chains of different
companies
E-Commerce Systems
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B2B marketplace
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Internet-based trading platform set up to
connect buyers and sellers in an industry
Types of E-Commerce
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Business-to-customer (B2C)
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trade that takes place between a
company and individual customers using
IT and the Internet
How Computer-Based Information Systems
Affect the Organizational Hierarchy
Information Flows
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Horizontal Information Flows
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Information networks can bridge functional
departments which allows information to
flow horizontally between departments,
leading to much higher productivity, quality,
and innovation.
Boundaryless Organization
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Boundaryless Organization
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composed of people linked by IT who rarely see
one another face-to-face
functional experts who form an alliance with an
organization
18-23
Boundaryless Organization
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Knowledge management system
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company-specific virtual information system
that systematizes the knowledge of its
employees and facilitates the sharing and
integrating of expertise within and between
functions and divisions through real-time,
interconnected IT
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Limitations of Information Systems
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Loss of the Human Element
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Information systems cannot present all kinds
of information accurately.
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Thick information, which is rich in meaning and
not quantifiable, is best suited to human analysis.
Information systems should support face-to-face
communication, and not be expected to replace it
18-25
Key challenges of
implementing IT systems
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Financial resources
Goodwill (external and internal)
Infrastructure
Technological incompatibility
Knowledge and Skills
Unaccomodative organizational
structures and systems
Remedies to information systems
implementation problems
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List major organization goals and the information
types require measure those goals.
Audit the current system to verify that information
collected is accurate, reliable, timely, and
relevant.
Investigate other sources of information
Build support for the system with workers.
Create formal training programs.
Emphasize that face-to-face contact is important.
18-27
Thank you