Information systems transformation, literacy, and organizational management dimensions

Information Systems

There are many ways in which Information Systems have revolutionized business in the 21st century. Most of these transformations center around two major paradigms: increase in technological power and the globalization of the marketplace. Essentially, Information Systems revolve around Information Technology -- a broad-based term that runs the gamut of acquiring, processing, storing and then disseminating information (Dunn, 2011). For many years, managers had access to data - sometimes in limited ways, other times a great deal of data, but no real way to effectively analyze it. Data are facts, information is data shaped into meaningful forms so that it can be used to help with decision-making.

In general, Information Systems are transforming modern business in three major ways: 1) The use of the Internet and global communications has allowed organizations to have global customers and employees instead of worrying about geographic locations. This leads to the potential for greater market penetration, use of global talent, and cost-effective means of developing the market without actually "locating" in that market; 2) The use of e-mail, e-commerce, and various modes of connecting the consumer to the business have improved the relationship between the two, as well as the ability to find and exploit particular niche markets more effectively; 3) Information Systems have literally transformed the manner in which decisions can be made. They allow information to be processed almost instantaneously, allowing for real-time strategic decisions to be made, and then tactical applications based on those decisions without months, or even years, of collecting and analyzing data (Lucey, 2005).

Part 2 -- Information literacy is the ability to first understand that there is a need for information; then to identify, locate, analyze and use that information for decision making. The idea behind this is if one is "literate," then one can read and write and interpret the symbols on a page, make sense of those symbols, and then use those symbols appropriately. Information literacy presupposes that one is informed enough about a topic to understand the basic need for information -- but more than that, what to "do" with that information once received. One prime example of information literacy is the ability to understand the viability of source material -- understanding that an article from a tabloid does not have the same credibility as an article from The New York Times, for instance (What is the NFIL?, 2013).

Computer literacy is the knowledge and/or ability to use computers and technology in the most efficient manner. Computers are tools, and the way those tools are used (access to databases, abilities with search engines, spreadsheets, etc.) are almost basic necessities in 21st century culture. There is a very robust correlation between information literacy and computer literacy in that they both require using critical thinking and the ability to use past knowledge in different ways. However, information literacy is more about applying knowledge than using a tool to find that knowledge. Having computer literacy is one way to get the knowledge, having information literacy is the final product of putting that knowledge to appropriate use (Eisenberg, 2004).

Part 3

Organizational dimension of Information Systems: Organizational dimensions include the way that organizations adapt, use and implement information; the culture of that organization and the business environment. This also includes task management, resource management and even conflict within the organizational environment (Earl, 1996).