Introduction to information systems - DPHU

Introduction to information systems

T. Cornford, M. Shaikh

IS1060

2013

Undergraduate study in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences

This is an extract from a subject guide for an undergraduate course offered as part of the University of London International Programmes in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences. Materials for these programmes are developed by academics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). For more information, see: londoninternational.ac.uk

This guide was prepared for the University of London International Programmes by: Dr Tony Cornford, Senior Lecturer in Information Systems, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London. Dr Maha Shaikh, Assistant Professor, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick. This is one of a series of subject guides published by the University. We regret that due to pressure of work the authors are unable to enter into any correspondence relating to, or arising from, the guide. If you have any comments on this subject guide, favourable or unfavourable, please use the form at the back of this guide.

University of London International Programmes Publications Office Stewart House 32 Russell Square London WC1B 5DN United Kingdom londoninternational.ac.uk Published by: University of London ? University of London 2013 The University of London asserts copyright over all material in this subject guide except where otherwise indicated. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher. We make every effort to respect copyright. If you think we have inadvertently used your copyright material, please let us know.

Contents

Contents

Chapter 1: Information systems as a topic of study .............................................. 1 1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Aims of the course.................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Learning outcomes for the course............................................................................. 4 1.4 Syllabus.................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 How to use this subject guide................................................................................... 6 1.6 Exercises and sample exercises................................................................................. 7 1.7 How much time should you spend on this subject?.................................................... 7 1.8 Practical assignments and coursework...................................................................... 8 1.9 Reading................................................................................................................... 9 1.10 Online study resources.......................................................................................... 12 1.11 Access to computers............................................................................................. 13 1.12 The internet.......................................................................................................... 15 1.13 Examination......................................................................................................... 16 1.14 Glossary of abbreviations...................................................................................... 17

Chapter 2: Preparing for the project work............................................................ 19 2.1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 19 2.2 General rules for submission of assignments........................................................... 22 2.3 Database assignment............................................................................................. 22 2.4 Spreadsheet assignment......................................................................................... 26 2.5 Reminder of learning outcomes.............................................................................. 30 2.6 Test your knowledge and understanding................................................................. 31

Chapter 3: Core concepts: information, data and systems................................... 33 3.1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 33 3.2 Information and data.............................................................................................. 34 3.3 Systems.................................................................................................................. 40 3.4 Reminder of learning outcomes.............................................................................. 43 3.5 Test your knowledge and understanding................................................................. 43

Chapter 4: Contemporary trends in information and communication technologies.......................................................................................................... 45

4.1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 45 4.2 The history of computers......................................................................................... 47 4.3 Software: operating systems and applications......................................................... 51 4.4 Data technologies.................................................................................................. 54 4.5 Application software............................................................................................... 57 4.6 Communications technologies and distributed systems............................................ 59 4.7 Reminder of learning outcomes.............................................................................. 64 4.8 Test your knowledge and understanding................................................................. 64 Chapter 5: Information systems in organisations................................................. 67 5.1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 67 5.2 Information systems in business.............................................................................. 68 5.3 Transaction processing systems (TPS)....................................................................... 69 5.4 Management information systems (MIS)................................................................. 70 5.5 Decision support systems (DSS)............................................................................... 70

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IS1060 Introduction to information systems

5.6 Executive information systems (EIS)......................................................................... 70 5.7 Office information systems (OIS)............................................................................. 71 5.8 Knowledge work systems (KWS) and knowledge management systems (KMS)......... 71 5.9 Computers in industrial processes........................................................................... 72 5.10 Enterprise systems: integrating business processes................................................ 72 5.11 E-commerce......................................................................................................... 73 5.12 Organisational issues............................................................................................ 75 5.13 The social and economic context of computer use................................................. 76 5.14 Data protection and computer crime..................................................................... 78 5.15 Practical information systems................................................................................ 79 5.15 Reminder of learning outcomes............................................................................ 81 5.17 Test your knowledge and understanding............................................................... 81 Chapter 6: Approaches to the development of information systems................... 83 6.1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 83 6.2 Where to start: build, buy, rent or participate?......................................................... 85 6.3 Approaches to the work of systems development.................................................... 89 6.4 Organisational change............................................................................................ 92 6.5 Reminder of learning outcomes.............................................................................. 93 6.6 Test your knowledge and understanding ................................................................ 93 Chapter 7: Development projects and professional roles..................................... 95 7.1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 95 7.2 The information system lifecycle.............................................................................. 96 7.3 Reviewing the lifecycle model............................................................................... 103 7.4 Professional roles in systems development............................................................ 105 7.5 Reminder of learning outcomes............................................................................ 107 7.6 Test your knowledge and understanding............................................................... 107 Chapter 8: Tools and methods for analysis and design ...................................... 109 8.1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 109 8.2 Techniques used in object oriented modelling........................................................ 110 8.3 Class diagrams and data models........................................................................... 115 8.4 Reminder of learning outcomes............................................................................ 122 8.5 Test your knowledge and understanding............................................................... 123 Chapter 9: Perspectives on information systems................................................ 125 9.1 The basics: information, data, technology, systems, organisations........................... 125 9.2 The consequences of digital technology................................................................. 127 9.3 Rapid change and learning from history................................................................ 128 9.4 Information systems as your project work.............................................................. 128 9.5 Sourcing choices................................................................................................... 130 9.6 Technology beyond organisations ......................................................................... 131 Appendix 1: Sample examination papers with Examiners' commentaries......... 133 Sample examination paper 1...................................................................................... 135 Examiners' commentary for Sample examination paper 1............................................ 137 Sample examination paper 2...................................................................................... 141 Examiners' commentary for Sample examination paper 2............................................ 143

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Chapter 1: Information systems as a topic of study

Chapter 1: Information systems as a topic

of study

1.1 Introduction

This 100 course provides an introduction to the study of information systems.

You might be expecting the phrase `information systems' in the title to be just a synonym for a course about computers and their direct uses. However `information systems', as you will discover, includes a rather broader set of topics and issues. The concerns we address here go beyond a narrow focus on this type of technology ? that is a subject that might be better studied under the heading of computer science or computer engineering. Rather, this course investigates what we do with this particular technology in the world, why we choose to use it, who is affected or interested in its uses and how we organise ourselves to be able to get the best from it. We even go a bit further, beyond questions of what information and communication technologies (ICTs) are used for, to questions about the consequences that follow ? what are often spoken of as the impacts or the `so what?' questions.

Quite often you will return to these five basic questions ? first what?, who? and why? and then how?; and finally, the consequences that follow (the so what?). These might include consequences for people (for example, at work or at home); for organisations (for example, firms and businesses, not-for-profit organisations and government bodies); and for wider society (for example, for social and economic development or for international patterns of trade).

When we do talk about computers and associated technologies we will generally use the phrase `information and communication technology' (ICT). You will find that ICT is a common abbreviation in the academic world, and particularly in Europe. The other and older abbreviation is `IT' standing for information technology. One of the earliest uses of this phrase is in a 1958 article by Harold J. Leavitt and Thomas L. Whistler listed under Background reading below. Despite this article being over 50 years old, it is well worth your while to read it and consider how many of their predictions have, or have not, come true.

1.1.1 Background reading

Leavitt, H.J. and T.L. Whistler `Management in the 1980s', Harvard Business Review November/December 1958. This is available in the Online Library.

The subject matter of this course is sometimes discussed under the heading of the application of ICT, seeing ICT as something we apply to various human activities. Indeed, the word `application' is often used in the business world to mean a particular use of technology or a particular type of software specific for a particular task. Thus we might say that word processors (for example, Microsoft Word or Open Office Writer) are one of the most important desktop `applications'. You will find that that in this subject guide we will often talk about `organisations'. This is used as a catch-all phrase to stand for all kinds of bodies and associations. Usually we will mean business organisations ? firms or companies ? or public sector organisations ? a government ministry or some public agency such as a school or police body. Just sometimes we may consider non-

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