In conclusion, there will be a discussion of analysis and current trends.
Information systems and their management have come a long way since their start with the onset of widespread business computing almost thirty years ago. The complicated and slow computing of the 1960s has been replaced by a worldwide system of computing and telecommunications. The chief information officers at major corporations manage the information systems, play an integral role in strategic planning, and are important in general management as well (Rudinger, 1990). In the last few years, the CIO position has broadened to include translating and monitoring the use of technology and information for different departments, using technology to gather competitive technology, and many aspects of strategic planning. Indeed, the CIO is becoming one of the most important executives in any large company since he or she must meet challenges ranging from the compatibility of internal systems, to global competition (Greene, 1990). Probably the most important task of this age of global telecommunications is the management of data on assets and other communication across international borders. Because there are a multitude of rules, regulations, and system incompatibilities, the manager of information systems (MIS) must have complete knowledge of the computer and communications systems he is dealing with in order to accomplish set goals and keep up with changes (Kane and Ricks, 1989).
In order to understand the operations of information systems and their management, one must first understand what an information system is. An information system can best be described as a set of interrelated parts of a company that are brought together to interact with one another to serve a purpose or goal (Kozar, 1989, p. 4). To understand the information system in a company, one must first realize that the organization exists for a purpose. The information system is the way ...