SBM4203 Management Information Systems Reflection on Learning Outcomes

This report reflects on the understanding of topics learned in a Management Information Systems course, focusing on the use of information systems and technology to simplify business operations. It explains the practical applications of Management Information Systems (MIS) in manufacturing, medical, and education sectors, highlighting how MIS can improve services and decision-making. The report further discusses the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Knowledge Management (KM) in supporting decision-making processes, using invoice automation as an example. It also addresses the ethical considerations of monitoring employee activities at the workplace, emphasizing the importance of consent and appropriate policies. The report concludes by referencing the Well Fargo incident as an example of immoral online activities and their negative impact on both employees and the organization.

Management
Information
Systems
Reflection report

Introduction:
In this reflection report we would present the understanding of the topics learnt during the course.
The centre theme of the report is on the use of state of art information system and information
technology for simplifying business operations, for this we have briefly explained the Management
Information system and its use in different sector, Use of Artificial Intelligence of supporting
decision making process and Enterprise Resource Planning tool SAP/R3 to learn the various
technological impact on the industries and its processes. Further we have described the ethical
scenario that is accompanied with the use of information technology at the workplace, such as
online hacking and pirating and discussed its result on the organization.
Management Information System (MIS)
The Management information systems are rapidly adopted by the organizations and industries for
storage, processing and handling and retrieval of data and information to improve their services and
allow for quick decision making to improve the overall functionality. Below are the practical uses of
MIS in the manufacturing, medical and educational industries:
a. Manufacturing MIS:
Information system has seen rapid acceptance in the area of manufacturing. The use of MIS in the
sector can be used for monitoring flow of products and materials throughout the organisation. In the
process of manufacturing raw materials are completed into final products that can be used by the
consumers. The MIS system can be used at every stage of this process. The best example is in
inventory control, where the purchase of the raw materials and all the data related to the inventories
can be easily stored and managed without the hassle of maintaining papers for the same.
b. MIS in medical:
One sector that has evolved rapidly as a result of adopting information system is that of Medical.
From MHR (Medical Health Record) to wearable medical sector has been revolutionized by the
ICT. The important area where MIS can be applied is in the management of specialists and
professionals in the hospitals and medical branches. The MIS system can maintain the
employability and availability of the professionals, their temporary allocations and leaves can be
regulated easily with the use of MIS. This system can help the administrators in timely decision
making regarding the specific assignments such as preparing teams for emergency situations (Gulati
& Sandhu 2017)
c. MIS in education:
Since educational institutes consist of variety of administrative tasks, including management of
students, faculties, courses, exam records, library details, payroll and so on, MIS can be used to
solve the management issues in any of the given areas. For example Student’s enrolment process
can be automated with the use of MIS, where the students can get registered in the system
automatically and all the data such as student’s personal information, course information, and
lecture schedule are overseen by the MIS. Moreover the MIS can perform decision making
regarding the enrolment pattern of the students such as interest in given type of course, lecture
timings, library schedule etc (Korde, 2018)
SAP/R3
SAP/R3 can be implemented to the companies that requires management on large scale because of
the functionality. The organizations that have functional complexities are more likely to support
SAP/R3 as compared to SAP business one.

Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Management:
Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Management are two fields closely related to each other as
both of them are concerned with knowledge. While AI trains the machine with the ability to learn
on the other hand knowledge management defines understanding of knowledge. There are several
areas where both of these technologies supporting each other for the decision making task. Such as
cognitive computing is a discipline where deep learning artificial neural network software are used
by computerized models to simulate thought processes just like humans. To simplify, the AI here
facilitates the knowledge and learning by mechanisms of machine. One example of application of
this mechanism is in invoice automation. Invoice automation allows straight through processing
without human interaction for the invoice process. It involves; monitoring of invoice, where for
digital invoices simple email automation tool can be used to dissect emails that contains invoice and
forward them for extracting data and for hard copies perform centralize invoice scanning; invoice
capture, extracting relevant details from the invoice, evaluating invoice against criteria such as
orders records, record information related to invoice in the system and make required payment to
settle the invoice.
Monitoring employee’s activities at workplace:
The monitoring of employees activities at the workplace is unethical unless done with their
knowledge and consent. Employees should not be indulge in any online tasks other than what is
required as a part of their job, for example, online marketing through social media sites. Other than
this, involving in online activities reduces employee’s productivity and destroys a considerable
amount of time which can otherwise be used for their workplace activities. However, this does not
gives rights to the employers to spy on the activities of employee. It can be however regulated with
the implementation of appropriate policies on the use of internet at workplace (Schwartz 2015).
As i consider this act as unethical, i would surely not go for this approach. As stated in the section
above, i would rather do it with the consent of employees or by putting in place appropriate policies
and regulations on the use of online activities.
An excellent example of immoral online activities at the workplace is the incident of Well Fargo,
which has fired 5300 employees for being engaged in the creation of phony accounts, fictitious
email accounts and Fake bank card PIN numbers. This type of immoral behaviour of the employees
was heavily criticized by the public and the company has to give $185 million in penalties.
Summary:
In this report we had discussed briefly about the use of management information system and their
various application in the education, financial and medical sectors. The role of MIS in decision
making process is understood from this report. The two rapidly developing disciplines AI and KM
and use of both of them together for effective automation and ultimately decision making. Also we
have seen how immoral online activities of the employees can negatively affect them as well as
organization and monitoring of the employee’s online activities can be done ethically by asking
their consent and applying required policies and procedures in place.

References:
Gulati, HL & Sandhu, HS 2017, ‘A Management Information System for Medical Service At
Command Headquarters, Medical journal, Armed Forces India, Vol. 51, Iss. 1, pp. 39–43.
Doi:10.1016/S0377-1237(17)30917-6
Korde, B. 2018, Role of Management Information System (MIS) in Education Sector, Viewed on 12
May 2019,
https://www.iitms.co.in/blog/role-of-management-information-system-in-education.html
Schwartz, A 2015, The 5 most common unethical behaviors in the workplace, Viewed on 12 May
2019, https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/blog/guest-comment/2015/01/most-common-
unethical-behaviors-in-the.html