Management Information Systems: A Comprehensive View from Concept to Vital Functions

Abstract

Management information systems are one of the subsystems within the overall system of the organization. They are responsible for the identification, analysis, operation, and transmission of information to specialized decision-making centres. They are used in the tactical level of management within different organizations. Such information is consistent with the needs of managers in terms of use and reference at the right time. They are a coherent set of integrated parts that work to accomplish the problems of data operation to achieve what the administration needs in terms of information to be used for the purposes of planning, control, and administrative processes. Because of the importance of management information systems and the advantages, they offer in the organizations applying them, this paper aimed, using a documentary, analytical, descriptive approach, to identify, analyze, and study what management information systems are, what the advantages of their application are, and what the obstacles in their application are.  This is done through the use of the critical review methodology for previous studies on this subject. A number of findings have been obtained from previous literary references, the most important including making the decision-making process effective by providing appropriate information at the right time, also helping achieve sequencing and realism in the nature of public relations work because good management information systems facilitate the function of public relations, and increasing user satisfaction. There are obstacles to management information systems, the most important including poor funding, and lack of qualified human cadre. This study recommends that Arab organizations pay attention to management information systems that are important and effective in achieving a high level of performance, look at the human cadre, qualify and train them to deal with modern technologies according to the required level.