Wikipedia defines Management Information System (MIS) as a subset of the overall internal controls of a business covering the application of people, documents, technologies, and procedures by management accountants to solving business problems such as costing a product, service or a business-wide strategy. I believe it (the subject IT313-MIS 1) is included in the curriculum for the students to have knowledge and perspective in the study of how information technology / system is being integrated in the management of an organization.
When we talk of information system (IS), it refers to a system of people, data records and activities that process the data and information in an organization, and it includes the organization's manual and automated processes. In a narrow sense, the term information system (or computer-based information system) refers to the specific application software that is used to store data records in a computer system and automates some of the information-processing activities of the organization. [wiki] If IT==h/w + s/w, IS==IT + p/w or IS == h/w + s/w + p/w. IS is simply the study of IT with peopleware.
The term 'management', in all business and human organization activity, is simply the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives. [wiki]
Management implies that someone has to be managed, and when someone has to be managed, he/she is inherently? capable of functioning independently or properly.
There are 4 activities or basic functions of management (although some references may have 4 or more): Planning, Directing, Organizing, and Controlling. Planning is deciding what needs to happen in the future. Directing is somewhat supervising/leading and giving directions. Organizing is making optimum use of the resources required to enable the successful carrying out of plans. Controlling now, I must say, is the controversial term. For in lay terms, controlling is exercising authority over something or someone. It is synonymous to restricting or manipulating somebody or something his/her expression, movements, etc. But humans, apart from things or softwares or applications, cannot be manipulated. Activists and pro-human rights would react, I'm sure. But as the term implies, and as far as the job desription suggests, if you are a subordinate and your job is to follow your boss, you will follow what your employer tells you to do. You are being controlled. So the 'suggested' term is, leadership management. Because humans, esp. 'techie guys' are not to be controlled just like computer instructions and software applications, but to be guided/lead.
And if the subject MIS is meant to study the principles/values/knowledge of using information technology applications/ system(s) in the management in the company, the conflict with the appropriate term lies. The proposed subject term is L.M.I.S. or Leadership Management Information System. (-_-)
In my stand, Management Information System (MIS) is not an inappropriate term for the subject. For controlling here, in terms of managing, DOES NOT directly imply restraining or limiting the actions/movements/ideas of the employee just like manipulating a toy. The administration of a business involves organizing and controlling of the affairs of the organization all because to follow certain company standards and not merely to follow what the boss says.
Robert J. Mockler's comprehensive definition of managerial control: Management control can be defined as a systematic effort by business management to compare performance to predetermined standards, plans, or objectives in order to determine whether performance is in line with these standards and presumably in order to take any remedial action required to see that human and other corporate resources are being used in the most effective and efficient way possible in achieving corporate objectives
As wiki says, control in management means setting standards, measuring actual performance and taking corrective action. Directors and managers have the authority and power to manage decisions and as a discipline, it involves controlling the firm's resources to achieve the policy's objectives.
Leadership is somewhat very broad and untechnical to me. Besides, leadership is also a function of management. No need to attach it before the title as it will be discussed more when we tackle management. And I think it is not appropriate to say Leadership Management Information System just because of the 'controlling' issue. Thus I say, Management Information System is just appropriate as the technicality implies.
Credits:
major sources for the definitions are Wikipedia and Microsoft Encarta Dictionaries.
