Introduction to information systems T. Cornford, M. Shaikh is1 060 2013

BSc
Information Systems and Management
if that is your degree programme – that we are concerned with more 
than just computers and networks and their most direct uses. Rather, 
we are studying the information systems which are found in, and are a 
fundamental part of, all manner of human organisations. It is hard to 
be an organisation (a business firm, a club, a school, or even a family) 
without having some information systems to store data and provide 
information to people who need to use it to guide their actions. Of 
course, these information systems may not use digital information and 
communications technology (i.e. computers). A paper notebook or diary, 
a notice board, a meeting room or a conversation can serve as a part of 
an information system too. However, here we are mostly concerned with 
the more formal and deliberately structured information systems found in 
organisations and that draw in large part on digital technology.
Quite often what we study is the move from a more traditional information 
system, for example based on paper records, to one based on digital 
records. Thus we have moved in many organisations from paper letters 
and memos typed by a secretary to emails and text messages typed by the 
main sender, or from paper catalogues sent out in the post to electronic 
catalogues on websites or DVDs. Another good example of change to 
more ICT-based information systems today is the move in healthcare all 
around the world from a paper-based patient record in a physical file, to 
an electronic record stored in a computer network and potentially easily 
available to multiple persons and at multiple locations. It is useful to 
think through this example under the headings of 
what
?, 
why
?, 
how
? 
and ‘
so what
?’. Taking just the 
why
question, it is interesting to think 
of how many reasons there may be to make this change from paper to 
digital records. Is it to deliver better care, safer care, to help doctors and/
or patients make more informed decisions, to reorganise the way care is 
given by nurses, to allow more information sharing among doctors and 
nurses, or to make the giving of care cheaper? Is it a way to solve existing 
and well understood problems, or is it a way to achieve something new, 
radically different and better? One rather general way to answer this 
question is to say that it will make healthcare more efficient (or it is hoped 
it will), but what does this word ‘efficient’ really mean? 
As in this case where doctors’, nurses’ and patients’ interests are involved 
(just to start with), we should always see any information system as 
involving, including and serving people. Sometimes as individuals or as 
citizens (for example, patients), but often as members of (or workers 
within) organisations, for example, nurses, managers, clerks, doctors, 
engineers or accountants. 
If we want an initial working description of the subject we study here (we 
call this a working description, not a definition; as you study information 
systems topics and gain new knowledge and insight you may want to 
change, rephrase or extend what is proposed here), it might be something 
along these lines: 

---

Chapter 1: Information systems as a topic of study 
3
The subject of information systems studies the uses made of ICT within 
human organisations and societies. In particular, we study how ICTs are 
applied to improve the way organisations operate and to help people to 
do their jobs. This is principally achieved by collecting, storing, processing 
and sharing data and information. 
This description suggests that the study of information systems entails at 
least four slightly separate, but related objectives: 
• the