Analyzing Management Information Systems at Woolworths: A Report

This report provides an analysis of the Management Information System (MIS) at Woolworths, a major Australian retailer. The report identifies challenges in maintaining and updating data within the MIS, crucial for tracking sales, revenue, and expenses. It explores the integration of e-commerce and m-commerce to enhance customer experience and expand market reach. The paper highlights the benefits of e-commerce, such as convenience for customers, and the potential for increased sales. It also examines the e-supply chain management, emphasizing the need for customer satisfaction, efficient flow management, and product development based on customer feedback. Risks and threats associated with e-commerce, particularly cyber security concerns, are also discussed. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of a robust MIS for business success and expansion, especially in leveraging e-commerce and e-supply chain strategies.

Running head: MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
Management information System
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Abstract
The following assignment is about the different aspects of the management information system
in modern day business environment. The business organizations are always thriving for better
communication systems and they look to enhance their management information systems. In
regard to this, one problem has been identified about the management information systems in the
recent times. In apart from that, the other aspects like introduction of e-commerce and m-
commerce within the organizations has been discussing as well. A particular organization has
been chosen to establish the real world impacts. The risks and threats regarding the e-commerce
and m-commerce have been explained by focusing on the e-commerce supply chain management
sub processes for the chosen organization.
Keywords
Management information system, Woolworths, e-commerce, m-commerce, supply chain
management,

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Overview about the management information system....................................................................3
Recognition of the problem.............................................................................................................3
E-commerce in the organization......................................................................................................4
Benefits of the organization.............................................................................................................5
E-commerce and m-commerce into integration of the business......................................................5
Supply chain....................................................................................................................................6
Risks and threats..............................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
The following paper looks to address the problems in the management information
system within an organization. It has to be said that the management information system is one
of the most important things that is needed to keep track of all the records within an organization.
Every company must keep the record of all the things that are happening within their
organization. This helps them to assess their profits and losses of the present as well s of the past.
Any problem that has been caused in this system may harm the entire integrity of the
organization. The chosen organization for this paper is Woolworths and the chosen problem in
the management information system is the maintenance of the records and updating.
Overview about the management information system
The management information system of the organizations is the computerized database of
the organizations that is recorded for solving the future problems and securing a record of their
day to day operations (Laudon, & Laudon, 2016). The reports are saved in the computers and it
works as the database for the company’s marketing and accounts department. One of the major
purposes for this is providing the feedback to the managers about their own performance as well
as of their employees. The actual data has to be restored every time and it has to be updated so
that the actual information can be preserved by the management (Laudon, & Laudon, 2016).
Recognition of the problem
The problem that has been identified in this course is about the provision of the raw data
in the primary database of the organizations that is stored for future use. Apart from this raw data
input, another problem related to this is the maintaining of the up to date information about the
different departments of the organization (Romney & Steinbart, 2012). These two problems have

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to be looked and dealt as a single phenomenon because they are quite interconnected with one
another. The companies have to generate all the data about their sales rates, revenue, expenses on
buying the equipments, their expenses on providing the salaries of the employees, payments to
their suppliers and all other important financial business credentials. The marketing department
has their own databases so they do not have to rely on the databases provided by the other
departments. In this case, if the wrong data input has been provided in this situation, there could
arise many problems and even misunderstandings (Romney & Steinbart, 2012). This would be a
harassing thing. So, in order to prevent these hazards and run a smooth management operation in
the organizations should adopt some strategies in the management information systems that this
problem could be solved.
E-commerce in the organization
As Woolworths is a retail giant in the country of Australia, it can be assumed that they
have a huge customer base all around the country and in the foreign countries as well
("Woolworths Limited", 2017). This focuses on the fact that they should provide e-commerce
services to their customers. The working people have a very complicated life these days and they
have very little time to spare for the buying and selling some of the products by going to the
stores. This does not reduce the need for buying necessary things for the household and the
children and the accessories that are needed for various purposes (Laudon, & Traver, 2013).
Woolworths can provide all of these products. So, it is advisable that they build a network by
which they can be able to deliver their products to the customers via e-commerce.

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Benefits of the organization
This would save the time of the customers for they would not have to stand in the long
queue in the shops (Niranjanamurthy et al., 2013). They could get their desired merchandise at
their homes comfortably, may be at a cheaper rate. The customers will be able to avail almost
any product from the repertoire of Woolworths via e-commerce ("Woolworths Limited", 2017).
The advantages of using m-commerce can also be availed by customers if Woolworths
introduce an exclusive mobile application for the purchase of products. This would be beneficial
for the customers who are on the move at certain point of time (Laudon & Traver, 2013). They
can buy anything as per their comfort by the app and pay the money through net banking. This
process will surely help them to attract more customers at their favor (Niranjanamurthy et al.,
2013).
E-commerce and m-commerce into integration of the business
This process of implementing the e-commerce and m-commerce within the
organizational process would lead them to gain more success in the future. It is because
Woolworths have a large customer base ranging from the social middle class to the upper class
(Kourouthanassis, & Giaglis, 2012). They will be very happy to avail the facilities of e-
commerce and m-commerce of Woolworths. Automatically, the sales rates will increase.
Woolworths can make partnerships with the various online platforms and social media for
advertising their company ("Woolworths Limited", 2017). This would help them to come in
focus of the new customer segments across the world. They will get a new customer base if they
attempt to expand their markets in the future (Kourouthanassis, & Giaglis, 2012).

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Supply chain
However improved the supply chain management might be for Woolworths, there is
always a room for more improvement (Fernie & Sparks, 2014). Woolworths are the largest
retailer in Australia so they have a good supply chain for their customers. Their current chosen
organization for handling the supply chain is TradeStone’s Merchandise Lifecycle management
(Fernie & Sparks, 2014). They work collaboratively with that organization so that the customers
are benefitted from buying the products. It will be more beneficial for the company if they shift
their supply chain as e-supply chain by collaborating with online buying websites like Amazon
and others. This will gain them customer satisfaction at a good range.
The sub processes for a better e-supply chain management include connecting with the
customers in a better way altogether so that the customers can feel free to contact the
organization if they face any trouble (Monczka et al., 2015). The case for the suppliers should be
the same as well. The customers should be made satisfied with the products and services of
Woolworths. The demands of the customers have to met and the flow management has to be
managed properly. The product development should be made properly by collecting the feedback
from the customers at regular intervals through the online platforms (Dai, Forsythe & Kwon,
2014).
Risks and threats
This mode of supply chain management must have some risks and threats. It is because
the threat of hackers and cyber crime always looms large on the famous organizations. The risks
and threats have to be mitigated within a certain time if any kind of cyber crime is recorded by
the authority (Brindley, 2017). They should consult with cyber experts about how to protect their

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website from the hackers and maintain a strong vigil on their data. They should keep track of
their databases and update them regularly. All the employees should ensure that they will not be
provoked by any means that harms the integrity of the organization.
Conclusion
The fact of the management information system has been discussed here in this paper and
a certain problem has been discussed. The need to keep track of all the databases by the
departments is extremely essential. It has been noticed that the organizations have suffered many
times as they have not done that. The integration of e-commerce and m-commerce in the retail
chain of Woolworths has been highlighted to point out that the e-supply chain management and
its sub processes are essential for the companies to evaluate their worth and expand in a new
target market.

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Conclusion
Brindley, C. (Ed.). (2017). Supply chain risk. Taylor & Francis.
Dai, B., Forsythe, S., & Kwon, W. S. (2014). The impact of online shopping experience on risk
perceptions and online purchase intentions: does product category matter?. Journal of
Electronic Commerce Research, 15(1), 13.
Fernie, J., & Sparks, L. (2014). Logistics and retail management: emerging issues and new
challenges in the retail supply chain. Kogan page publishers.
Kourouthanassis, P. E., & Giaglis, G. M. (2012). Introduction to the special issue mobile
commerce: the past, present, and future of mobile commerce research. International
Journal of Electronic Commerce, 16(4), 5-18.
Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2016). Management information system. Pearson Education
India.
Laudon, K. C., & Traver, C. G. (2013). E-commerce. Pearson.
Monczka, R. M., Handfield, R. B., Giunipero, L. C., & Patterson, J. L. (2015). Purchasing and
supply chain management. Cengage Learning.
Niranjanamurthy, M., Kavyashree, N., Jagannath, S., & Chahar, D. (2013). Analysis of e-
commerce and m-commerce: advantages, limitations and security issues. International
Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering, 2(6).
Romney, M. B., & Steinbart, P. J. (2012). Accounting information systems. Boston: Pearson..

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Woolworths Limited. (2017). Woolworths.com.au. Retrieved 26 August 2017, from
https://www.woolworths.com.au/