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Abstract
This paper focuses on the Management Information Systems (MIS) of two companies namely the Citibank International and Qatar Airways. The paper provides an analysis of each companys hardware and software components in line with the organizational applications of each element. In this context, one organization uses the Information Systems (IS) in one approach while the other uses the same application for different functions. In the essay, the MIS implies various computer hardware and software components that are designed for the facilitation of the decision-making processes in organizations. It is revealed that the management of information systems underpins the administrative roles of an organization. The design and maintenance of the Information Systems (IS) differ from one organization to another depending on their needs. The business strategy influencing the adoption of the information system is introduced. In addition, the consequences that accrue to association and usage of the information system at both the personal and organizational levels regard privacy and computer crime implications.
Introduction
In the era of the digital age, information has become critical and sensitive, especially to businesses seeking to remain competitively relevant in the market. The world is faced with an increased use of the modern wireless technologies. The effect of such innovations on the international companies cannot be undermined. The changing business world owing to the unending globalization has necessitated the need to understand the environment besides making apt decisions that matter to the company. In this regard, the timely availability of information is paramount to the efficient management of organizations. The IS in an organization works towards this effect by providing better actions and well-thought decision-making processes. This paper compares the management information systems of two companies namely the Citibank International and Qatar Airways.
Management Information Systems (MIS)
Management Information Systems (MIS) refers to the computer hardware and software components designed to facilitate business management decision-making processes. According to Lucey (2005), a management information system provides information that supports the administrative roles of an organization. According to Philip (2007), the design and maintenance of the Information Systems (IS) differ from one organization to another depending on their needs. In this case, each foundation anchors the systems to achieve the set organizational objectives. The organizations design and customize information systems with a view of achieving various goals and objectives. Indeed, Management Information Systems support a broad assortment of business processes besides facilitating the communication processes with the organizations suppliers, customers, and service providers (Lucey, 2005). The size of the firm, geographical coverage, and needs of the enterprise determine the choice and application of the information systems. The application of information systems in businesses incorporates five primary components namely the hardware, software, data, personnel, and process (Buono & Kerber, 2010).
The application of the Management Information Systems in the Citibank International and Qatar Airways
The Citibank International and Qatar airways make the use of the MIS to provide information applicable to management. However, the systems differ in application.
Mobile Apps
The two multinationals have designed and rolled out various mobile applications that are customized for business and/or entertainment provided to help their customers pre-package their products. The Citibank International uses mobile applications to ease the opening, operating, and maintenance of personal and/or corporate bank accounts (CITI IDI Resolution Plan, 2013). Usually, this undertaking does not require the customer to visit any of the Citibank International branches. Instead, the customers can do their banking at home or any other convenient place (CITI IDI Resolution Plan, 2013).
Cloud Computing
The Qatar Airways and Citibank International use the cloud computing technology to enable their employees share information stored in their databases at any given time (Pinnington, 2010). This strategy saves time and resources. This objective is achieved by duplicating the computing resources in each branch of the multinational companies for easy accessibility. In addition, it is possible to rent out this service to other businesses thereby creating a revenue creation platform using their resources (Galliers & Leidner, 2014).
Employee Database Management
Furthermore, there exists a comprehensive database of the employees making it possible to make decisions on resource management. The aim of several information systems is to transmute data into information with a view of creating knowledge for decision-making. The database provides professional information about each employee. This situation makes it easy for human personnel managers to pick and replace employees. The Citibank International uses the Oracle database system while the Qatar Airways uses MySQL. The need to maintain and possess professionals has created a need for the systems in the two companies (Eliasson, 2014).
Online Advertising
Both the Citibank International and Qatar Airways use the online platforms to advertise their products to their customers and attract new ones. Harnessing the social media can be done to promote the companys products using platforms such as Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and YouTube (Miles, Snow, Fjeldstad, Miles, & Lettl, 2010). The Qatar Airways makes videos showing the exquisite facilities at its disposal regarding the air transport. This strategy persuades customers to try their services.
Competitive Advantage of Companies using Management Information Systems
Although the two corporations fall in different business environments, they apply the MIS technology to compete for customers with a view of increasing their sales of their products and services. The Citibank International and Qatar Airways have an extensive application and utilization of Information Systems. Businesses that apply the information systems to ease the management processes have an added advantage over others. Information systems help companies access their inventories by clicking a mouse button. In cases where the stocks are running low, top-ups can be sought from the suppliers immediately. This situation places the company in a disadvantaged position, as it cannot respond to the market forces quickly. The Citibank International customers can make deposits, transfers, and check their bank balances using the systems (CITI IDI Resolution Plan, 2013).
Businesses and Management Information Systems
Firms that use the management information systems reduce their costs of operation. This objective is realized through the utilization of the systems to perform most of the business operations. For instance, the Qatar Airways can procure aircrafts from the manufacturers when a need for expansion arises (Pinnington, 2010). The company can also advertise its tenders to renovate and maintain the airports or aircrafts. This situation eliminates the need to hire and maintain the godowns to store the manufactured products. According to Doz and Prahalad (2013), the use of the information systems helps the company improve the quality of its goods and services. On the other hand, the Citibank International promotes its service delivery by reducing the time per customer. Customers have a platform to air their opinions, comments, and perceptions of the products. They can even customize and package their intended product and present it to the company for actualization (Pataki & Padar, 2013).
Companies using information systems are in a better place to make higher revenues as compared to their counterparts. They have a brand selection of products mostly from the global composition. The Qatar Airways has a wide and adventurous array of routes to diverse international destinations. For instance, the travelers interested in visiting Australia can make various customized stops in different cities of the world. Customers are provided with varieties of products to meet their needs. On the other hand, the Citibank International can meet the demands of their clients by ensuring a fast procession of requests, quick loan approvals, and customer friendly payment methods. This state of events results in more sales that in turn generate higher revenue. Booth and Philip (2005) reveal that the management information systems place the company on the global ladder. The multinational corporations operate in many countries worldwide. As a result, they employ diverse workforce in different time zones to make more sales. This undertaking provides a larger market for their products (Sousa & Oz, 2014).
Challenges faced by Individuals and Companies regarding Computer Use
The ease of information sharing has also posed various challenges to the management of enterprises (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). For instance, individuals are bound to lose their privacy owing to the information shared through the management systems. The interception of the communication is an example of lost privacy (Young, Kuo, & Myers, 2012). In this case, criminals eavesdrop electronically on the victims conversations by trapping electromagnetic signals from the computers. This invasion of personal space is dangerous in the sense that the target individuals feel that their information is controlled externally; hence, they dread the forfeiture of confidentiality. Both companies can experience fraud through the electronic fund transfer systems. In the case of the Citibank International, sensitive information is provided on credit cards. As a result, criminals can intercept the information in the credit cards electronically thereby forfeiting the information stored in it (Young et al., 2012). This situation raises a concern amongst companies and individuals who conduct using the information systems of the bank (Clark, 2013).
To conclude, the issues highlighted in this paper relate to the Management Information Systems (MIS). The essay has presented a comparison of the hardware and software components used in the Citibank International and Qatar Airways. There is also a discussion on the importance of the management information systems in terms of the competitive advantages of the firms. Besides, it highlighted the security concerns pertaining the computer-based information sharing and associated crimes.
Reference List
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