Week 5, Chapter 4

How do systems help managers in their roles?

Information systems help managers by allowing them to engage in many tasks simultaneously. For instance, if we look at the different systems of TPS, DSS, MIS, KWS, OAS, and ESS, we learn from the text that each has a specific role within an organization. We must also realize that the systems are more-or-less geared toward specific organizational levels; TPS, KWS, and OAS are typically used outside the executive offices, while DSS, MIS, and ESS systems are used at the decision making levels of an organization. It should go without saying that decisions are constantly being made at lower level, but the decisions that affect the entire organization or even the broadness of an industry, are made "upstairs".

Organizations which use more traditional methods of acquiring knowledge may or may not find a use for information systems in their organizations. Typical informal knowledge gaining systems are lawyers reading past court cases in the law firm library. I cannot answer for any more people than myself about receiving information online. I feel that information systems would not work in this instance. As humans we have been reading the written characters for thousands of years and the printed text for a few hundred. For me I would be unable to take away substantial knowledge after reading it online. I could not read this book entirely online. As humans, we still need to be able to feel the book and be able to kick our shoes off, kick our feet up, and get comfortable. It is very unlikely to be comfortable in front of a computer for hours on end. The IS based law library could come in handy for the initial research or catalog look-up of where to find needed information, but to go further would be counterproductive. We haven't learned to become comfortable to read entire texts online...yet.

Is e-mail a good substitute for talking to people in person?

As with everything there are conditions on use, abuse, or misuse of anything. E-mail is no different. I feel that e-mail is just fine for quick memo's and the dissemination of information which has a short life-span (i.e. info on the company picnic or softball game). It can also be used in the implementation of new operating methods which may be time sensitive. If e-mail is used for this purpose, managers should also follow-up with the formal paper document and face to face talks and briefings. I feel that e-mail is appropriate in certain personal interests as well. Since managers are leaders of their respective organizations, it is also their role to provide reward for their workers. This may be as small as a regional manager "personally" thanking a super-salesman of the year via e-mail. E-mail is more efficient, more cost effective, and I feel can convey a personal touch across many miles. In conclusion, e-mail must be used prudently and should be a valuable asset to any organization.

How do we make decisions of dating and marriage?

The decision making process of marriage is a complex one. It not only is a decision that people may employ decision making processes in, but will undeniably have many factors that will influence the outcome. There are many social, psychological, and societal pressure and influences that help us decide on a partner. As you've already determined, bounded rationality does indeed describe the process by which most people choose a partner. Rational is a word that I would not use to describe the marriage decision making process. It makes sense that we all have goals that are taught to us by our guardians, friends, and those around us, as we are maturing. I also feel that a certain amount of genetic schooling is taking place. By that I mean that we have a disposition to how we choose life partners. I use the premise that, survival of the fittest, which we all learned in high school, plays some part in how the human race propagates. We learn our values and beliefs system from our parents. From them, we take our beliefs into the world in order to seek out the goal that we see as ideal for us. Of course we will not be able to list all possible scenarios and their outcomes, therefore, we will not be able to make a fully rational decision on choosing a partner. We have made the decision that we will seek out someone that is close to what our ideal is. When I look back to my past female-friends, most of them are similar in build, appearance, personality, among other traits. This may have no connection, but the similarities are there. I think we stay and choose things that are familiar to us; as if changing would be difficult. Not to trivialize marriage as a decision making process, but a deep felt "feeling", it sounds like the same problem managers are faced with in making decisions to change a procedure or method.

To view my previous feedbacks, visit www.FaulknerWeb.com, then click on Univ. of Maryland

This site is best viewed at 1024 X 768 resolution

Home | Photos | WaterMark Multimedia | Online Shopping Outlet

FaulknerWeb.com is designed and managed by Matt Faulkner.