School of Information and Communication Studies

Department of Information Studies Second Semester (2017-2018)

Lecturer: Mr. Michael Allotey Contact Information: mallotey@ug.edu.gh

Lecture Overview

This lecture introduces students to the systems theory. The idea is that, for one to be able to understand and appropriately design organizational information systems, one needs to understand the general characteristics of systems. The lecture also introduces students to the components of information systems

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Session Outline

The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows:

1. Defining Systems

2. Types of systems

3. Relevance of the systems theory to information systems

4. Information Systems

5. Components of information Systems

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Reading List

• Laudon, C.K. Laudon, J.P. (2000) Management Information Systems (11th Ed.), NJ, Prentice-Hall in Honkong, Pearson.

• Senn, J.A. (1982) Information Systems in Management, NY Wadsworth Publishing Company.

• Stoner, J.A.F. (1999) Management, (1999) Prentice-Hall of India, New Delhi.

• Lucey Terry, (1995) Management Information Systems, DP Publishing Ltd. Aldine Place, London. • Watson, H.J. et al (1991) Information System for Management: A Book of Reading.

• Hutchinson, S.E. & Sawyer, S.C. (2000) Computers, Communications and Information: A User’s

Introduction.

• Alter, S. (1999). Information systems: A management perspective. Reading, Mass. [u.a.: Addison Wesley.

• O’Brien, J.A. (2009) Introduction to Information Systems, Boston, Pearson.

• Long, P. et al (2016) Cambridge International AS and A Level IT Coursebook, University Printing House, Cambridge CB2 8BS, UK.

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DEFINING A SYSTEM Topic One

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What is a System?

A system is a group of interrelated components working together towards a common goal by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process.

Systems can be real or abstract.

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Characteristics of Systems

• System boundary and environment

• System inputs, outputs and processes

• Ability to change or adapt or respond to varying inputs

• System purpose, goal or objectives

• System feedback

• System control

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TYPES OF SYSTEMS Topic Two

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Types of Systems

• Open systems

• Closed systems

• Semi-closed or semi open system

• Subsystems and sub-subsystems

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RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS CONCEPT TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Topic Three

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Relevance of Systems Concept to Information Systems

The systems concept should help the designer to:

• Identify and appreciate the purpose of the system as a whole.

• Design appropriately, subsystems and sub-subsystems with relevant interfaces and relationships.

• Specify purposes and objectives for each subsystem within the whole system.

• Consider and design adaptable variations that the system must cope with.

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INFORMATION SYSTEMS Topic Four

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Information Systems

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Information system (IS) is a set of interrelated elements or components that collect (input), manipulate (process), store, and disseminate (output) data and information, and provide a corrective reaction (feedback mechanism) to meet an objective (Stair & Reynolds, 2010)

Information Systems

O’brien (2005) also defines information systems as “any organized combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that collects, transforms, and disseminates information in an organization”.

These three elements—hardware, software and telecommunication systems—comprise the ICT component of an information system

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COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Topic Five

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Components of Information Systems

• Hardware: is the physical equipment—

such as a personal computer, a laptop, a

portable computing device etc.

• Software: is the set of coded instructions

(programs) that direct the hardware to

perform the required tasks.

• Telecommunication equipment: these

are the networking equipment enabling

users and devices to communicate.

• Process: is the set of steps employed to

carry out a specific business or

organizational activity

• People: are all those individuals who

are directly involved with the system.

includes managers and users

• The structure (or organizational

structure): refers to the relationship

among the individuals in the people

component.

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Hardware

• Hardware components can either be internal or external (Input and output devices).

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Software

Software is not a physical thing (but it can of course be stored on a physical medium such as a CD-ROM), it can be classified into system and application software.

Examples:

Application Software: Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Databases

System Software: Operating Systems, Device Drivers, Utilities (antivirus)

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Telecommunicating Equipment

These equipment's can also be internal or external.

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People

Examples of “people” are:

• Network managers

• Network technicians

• Lawyers

• Website designers

• Lecturers

• Systems analyst

• Data Entry Clarks

• Programmers

• Computer engineers

• Delivery drivers

• Customers

• Salesperson

• Accountants

• And many more….

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There are two categories of People: End Users and Custodians.

Process

Process is the conversion of raw data to meaningful information. This is a core function of information systems. A system that processes data will have: • A method to input data • A method to process data • A method to output data

There are also a variety of ways in which data can be processed (batch, online and real-time)

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**END**

Thank You

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