Trends and training methods employed in management information systems with an emphasis on the project setting

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the nature of Management Information Systems (MIS) problems encountered by managers whose primary area of responsibility lie outside MIS; and review relevant training issues. The research methodology employed consisted of: (a) A computer search of the literature, (b) traditional search of the literature, and (c) interviews with cognizant personnel in the field. The study was guided by four research questions. The first question was determined to be paramount. Specifically, what have been and are the business/industry information issues as perceived by managers? The remaining three questions dealt with training issues. Findings were suprisingly clear: (a) There is an unawareness of the history of problems in the MIS area by many managers, (b) this ahistorical approach far more than an understanding of computerese rose as a central issue, (c) problems in this area cost industries and present a major training problem, (d) the training issues in MIS were not significantly different from training issues in other disciplines, and (e) a particular curricular methodology was determined to be of less concern than was the delivery system as none of the groups encumbant to the problem has the answers in toto.