Is a Human-Centred Organization Identical to its Information System? - Essay Sample

Introduction

Information system plays a very vital role in the flawless running of any organization. The world has transformed in leaps and pounds as a result of transformations in the information system sector. The purpose of this research is to define what an information system is and what it is not. We shall also revisit the phrase "is identical to" in the information system perspective and relate it to how an organization can be identical to its information system. We shall also look at the relationships between the inputs and the outputs of an information system and the procedures and processes of a given human-centered organization. How one can map a human-centered organization's functional architecture with that of its information system also be addressed as we also determine ways in which a human-centered organization can be viewed objectively as being alike to its information system.

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An information system is described as a system organized to collect information, organize that information, compute the information, store the information and finally communicate that information to the end-users of the information. Information system therefore simply deals with the integration of the equipment involved in the disseminating the processed information to the end-users. There are several types of information system applicable to the organization. These include Management Information Systems, Transaction Processing Systems, Decision Support Systems, Expert Systems and Information Systems in Organization (Bajdor, Grabara, 2014). Each of the mentioned systems plays a vital and unique role in the management of any organization. Decision Support System, abbreviated as DSS, helps in analyzing data thus giving support in decision making to the top management of an organization. Management Information System, on the other hand, is a system that helps in generating reports to the management for the day-to-day running of the organization. The MIS relies on the data collected by Transaction Processing System to generate those reports. Transaction Processing System is the system that collects, processes, stores and disseminates transactions in an organization in a simultaneous manner.

An Expert System, also called a knowledge-based system. It is a system that gives recommendations based on how a human being could have reasoned. This type of system can diagnose a problem and offer a solution. Finally, Information Systems in an Organization are those systems process data and give information in real-time. An example of this may include the system used by the automated teller machines by banking institutions. Information technology is sometimes confused to be the same as an information system. However, that is not true. Information technology only refers to the computer-based hardware, software, the networks and databases involved in disseminating information. Information technology, therefore, falls under information system but it is not the definition of information system (Laudon & Laudon, 2016).

The phrase "is identical to" is a very common term in the information system study. This phrase refers to how an organization's identity influences how that organization acts regarding the development of the information systems in that given organization. An organization identity, therefore, shapes in a great way the organizational information systems of an organization because any differences in identities between organizations is exhibited in their information system set-ups. There are several implications to an organization having its identity. The first implication is that it may limit or enable the organization to develop further in the information communication technology. The hindrance or ability to develop the information communication systems will depend on how that organization identifies itself with the ever-evolving information systems. The second implication of organization identity in the information system is that it is more likely to hinder the integration of the systems of different organization. This implication is very unfortunate as modern organizations are integrating at a faster rate to improve service delivery and also to reduce costs. Another implication of organizational identity is its rigidity. Organizational identity frowns upon change, and therefore an organization is likely to be left behind regarding information communication systems as it sticks to its identity.

Information system inputs and outputs play an essential role in the processes as well as procedures of a human-centered organization. The human-centered organization can be described as that type of organization driven in a holistic manner where the focus should not only be the well-being of the customer but should also the employees and their families, and the general community is also well taken care of (Giacomin, 2014). For the human-centered system to function properly, then the organization must invest in proper information system technologies to ensure proper service delivery and products of the highest standards to the end-users. Proper information systems also help the employees to perform their work effectively thus leading to a conducive working environment that has a trickle-down effect on their families happiness. Proper information systems also help the organization to relate well with the community.

Conclusion

The human-centered organization system follows four major phases in its implementation. The first phase involves specifying who the user is and contextualizes its use. The second phase involves specifying the requirements of that design and then producing the solutions of that design. The final phase is meant to critically evaluate the requirements of this human-centered organizational design. In all these phases, the tasks to be performed, the users of that design and the understanding of those users must be put into consideration (Pascal, Thomas & Romme, 2013). The design should be able to adopt a systematic approach that can identify itself to the organization's information systems, and the users of those systems should be able to use those systems properly or at least be trained to use them properly. The information systems should be able to conform to the principals of human-centered organizational approach that focuses on social responsibility, trustworthiness, create a work environment that is conducive and align to the strategic business objectives of that organization (Eason, 2014)

References

Bajdor, P., & Grabara, I. (2014). The Role of Information System Flows in Fulfilling Customers' Orders. Journal of Studies in Social Sciences, 7(2).

Eason, K. D. (2014). Information technology and organizational change. CRC Press.

Giacomin, J. (2014). What is human-centered design?. The Design Journal, 17(4), 606-623.

Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2016). Management information system. Pearson Education India.

Pascal, A., Thomas, C., & Romme, A. G. L. (2013). Developing a Humancentred and Sciencebased Approach to Design: The Knowledge Management Platform Project. British Journal of Management, 24(2), 264-280.