Management Information Systems

Management information systems (MIS) studies how organizations use information technology to support management, decisions, and processes.

Scope

It covers information systems for decision support, IT adoption and use, systems development, and the organizational impact of information technology.

Core questions

• How can IT support management and decisions?
• What drives the adoption and use of technology?
• How are information systems developed?
• How does IT change organizations?

Key concepts

• Decision support systems
• Technology Acceptance Model
• Systems development
• IT and organizations
• Information management
• Digital transformation

Key theories

A framework for MIS

Gorry and Scott Morton classified information systems by decision type and management level.

Technology acceptance

Davis's Technology Acceptance Model explained IT adoption via perceived usefulness and ease of use.

History

MIS developed frameworks linking IT to management decisions (Gorry & Scott Morton) and theories of technology adoption (Davis, TAM), now spanning digital business and analytics.

Debates

Technological versus organizational determinants of IS success

Whether IT outcomes depend on the technology or on organizational and human factors.

Key figures

• G. Anthony Gorry
• Michael Scott Morton
• Fred Davis

Seminal works

• gorry-scott-morton-1971
• davis-1989

Frequently asked questions

What is the Technology Acceptance Model?

Davis's model explaining users' adoption of technology through its perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use.