Utilisation of MIS in manufacturing industries

Abstract

Management information systems can be defined as information systems using formalised procedures to provide managers at all levels, in all functions, with appropriate information from all relevant sources, to enable them to make timely and effective decisions for which they are responsible. There is, and continues to be, an awareness in society that accurate and timely information is a vital resource of any organisation, and that an effective management information system is a means of providing the needed information. Many top management people are finding that information is a source of competitive power. It gives them the ability to out-manoeuvre their rivals at critical times, especially when introducing new products. Effective management information systems allow the decisionmaker (i.e .. the ll;)Ul:lger) to combine his or her subjective experience with computerised objective output to produce meaningful information for decision making (Thierauf, 1984:22). Managers must also learn how to state their wishes with precision. Management information systems (MIS) produce only what is asked, which may not be at all what is required. For effective use of information technology, managers must be able to define their information requirements as well as understand computer capabilities and limitations (Hussain and Hussain, 1995:8). The primary objective of this research was to establish the impact of utilising management information systcn»: (MIS) and applying information technology on the success of manufacturing industries. The other aim of the study was to investigate the extent of utilising management information systems and applying information technology in these industries. The study focused on medium- and large-scale chemical manufacturing companies in the Cape Metropole area that have operated for at least the past five years.