EFFECT OF MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEM (MIS) ON EFFECTIVE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN AN ORGANIZATION
The management information system technology plays a crucial role, especially in the communication and information sectors such as government establishments, where they build their competitive advantage on credibility and information. Every aspect of management in the modern age relies heavily on information to thrive. Nothing moves without information and it is generally believed that information is power and that he who has it has power. It has even been described as a singular resource needed to develop other resources, including workers in an organization. That is why Odger and Keeling (2000) deduced that one way businesses meet information needs is to use MIS. One approach by which an organization can utilize the company’s capability is through the development of MIS. There is no universally accepted definition of MIS and those that exist reflect the emphasis and perhaps prejudice of their authors.
However, the term MIS can be seen as a database management system tailored to the needs of managers or decision-makers in an organization. MIS is a system using formalized procedures to provide management at all levels in all functions with appropriate information based on data from both internal and external sources, to enable them to make timely and effective decisions for planning, directing and controlling the activities for which they are responsible Argyris (1991). It should be noted from the above definition that the emphasis is on the uses to which the information is put. Planning, directing and controlling are the essential ingredients for “Management”. In essence, the processing of data, information, and communicating the resulting information directly to the user, is the key function of MIS. It should, therefore, be noted that MIS exists in organizations to help them achieve objectives to plan and control their processes and operations, to help deal with the uncertainties, and to help in adopting changing or indeed initiating change.
Essentially, therefore, information has become a critical resource, just like energy, both of which are vital to the wellbeing of individuals and organizations in the modern world. Like energy and politics, technology is changing how information is captured, processed, stored, disseminated and used augured Charles (2002). MIS is generally thought of as an integrated, user-machine system providing information to support operations, management, and decision-making functions in an organization Abdullahi (2004). MIS is a special-purpose system useful for management in an organization. MIS is an accessible and rapid conveyor belt for appropriate high-quality information from the generation to its users. The heart of an effective MIS, therefore, is a carefully conceived, designed and executed database. Its level corresponds to adaptive decisions. As a result, MIS enhances the administrative process and the operations and decision-making powers of an organization. This explains why standard and digitalized information processing devices such as the computer, word processing, and internet are highly welcome by organizations across the world.
Kotler (2006) in a simpler manner defines MIS “as a planned system of the collecting, processing, storing and dissemination of data in the form of information needed to carry out the functions of management. In a way, it is a documented report of the activities that were planned and executed”. In other words, MIS is an integrated user-machine system for providing information to support the operation of management analysis and decision making function, which utilizes computer hardware and software as well as a manual application for its procedures.
Despite the utilization of MIS in its various forms there still seems to be some problems that infringe on the effectiveness of decision-making by managers and the productivity of employees in an organization. This includes issues bordering on monitoring the system perhaps as a result of limited numbers of departmental managers and supervisors or their exit and also non-qualitative factors like morale of workers, attitudes of workers to work as well as the lack of flexibility of MIS to update itself, thus calling for an investigation to provide needed balance Akinola (2003). Management Information System (MIS) seeks to know the motive for work and to find ways by which their realization can be helped and encouraged. This service has a dynamic aspect of management Saogy (1989).
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Management Information System (MIS) helps management ineffective planning, organizing and controlling its workforce to achieve desired results. It, therefore, means that MIS is important in the effective running of any organization.
The problem associated with the management information system in Nnamdi Azikiwe University is represented in its staff capacity as they most likely do not have the requisite qualified staff to handle such a position. Another problem is the availability of the requisite equipment in adding the human resource department to keep a tab of the staff of the university to avoid situations like an impersonation of lecturers and ghost workers, etc. Incorporated also is the politicization, bureaucracy, corruption, ineptitude of high ranking personnel’s in the allocation of funds to the MIS unit for its upgrading because of the incoherent checks system and disciplinary body.
Furthermore, the MIS in Nnamdi Azikiwe University is more or less not felt by workers as it ought to be to make them visible to the outside world as well as updating the outside world with latest information and improvement in the system, MIS can also act as a motivating factor for the employees to enable them to perform better. Management has failed to see the benefit of MIS on the lives of the staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main aim of the study is to examine the effect of management information system on effective human resource management in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Specific objectives of the study are:
- To determine the problems associated with Management Information System (MIS) in Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
- To identify the benefits of Management Information System (MIS) in the motivation of workers Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
- To determine how the Management Information System influences Human Resources Management at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
- To determine the role played by the Management Information System (MIS) in the achievement of organizational goals.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
To achieve the stated objectives and guide the study, the following research questions will be formulated:
- How can Management Information System influence Human Resources Management at Nnamdi Azikiwe University?
- What are the problems associated with the Management Information System (MIS)?
- What are the benefits of the Management Information System (MIS) in the motivation of workers?
- What role has Management Information System (MIS) played in the achievement of organizational goals?
RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
Hypothesis one
Ho: there is no significant relationship between the management information system and effective human resources
Hi: there is a significant relationship between the management information system and effective human resources
Hypothesis two
Ho: there are no problems associated with the management information system in Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Hi: there are problems associated with the management information system at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Hypothesis three
Ho: MIS is not beneficial in the motivation of workers to perform better.
Hi: MIS is beneficial in the motivation of workers to perform better.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Because of the role played by information on how Management Information System (MIS) affects employees productivity, the long essay was expected to be of benefit to students, employers, employees, learning institutions and future researchers.
Students: It is hoped that students would see the need to equip and avail themselves of the knowledge of Management Information System (MIS) in modern technologies to fit into the challenging world of work.
Employers: It is very much hoped that findings from this essay will provide ready tools for employers (management) to make effective and efficient decisions on managing their Human Resources (Man Power), especially in the effective use of Management Information System (MIS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Learning Institutions: Institutions of higher learning are expected to use the needs and importance attached to the training of their students in the modern Management Information System (MIS) and incorporates it in their learning experience to enable them to fit adequately in the labor market.
Future Researchers: This long essay when completed is expected to be useful to future researchers by providing them with reference materials.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study covers an examination of the impact of Management Information System (MIS) on effective Human Resources Management (HRM) in an organization using Nnamdi Azikiwe University as my area of study.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher encountered some difficulties, which include financial and time constraints.
The most teething problem faced by the researcher in finance. He is just a dependent undergraduate, who had to rely on her meager pocket money to finance the work. Also, the questionnaire had to be typed and administered to selected respondents of the organization, not as one thought process, it required the personal involvement of the researcher to motivate the worker to fill the questionnaire, explain certain words and answers. Another constraint is the lack of total cooperation from the respondents, who were unwilling to cooperate with the researcher because they felt that they had nothing to gain from the study. Others, when interviewed refused to disclose certain information relating to their organization for fear of victimization from the authority of the organization.
In spite of all these limitations, however, data collected were able to provide enough insight into the research
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