MANAGING KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION IN MIS

In the modern digital era, information and knowledge have become vital organizational assets, often considered more valuable than physical resources. Effective management of these assets is crucial for achieving competitive advantage, operational efficiency, and innovation. Management Information Systems (MIS) play a central role in managing both information and knowledge within an organization. MIS integrates technology, people, and processes to collect, process, store, and distribute information and knowledge to support decision-making at all levels of management.

The core purpose of MIS is not just to handle data but to transform data into information, and information into knowledge. Information management focuses on organizing and controlling data flows, while knowledge management (KM) emphasizes capturing, sharing, and utilizing the experience and insights of people within the organization. Together, they enable managers to make effective, informed, and strategic decisions.

1. MIS UNIT 4

2. Managing Information Technology Managing Information Technology (IT) refers to the comprehensive process of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling an organization’s technological resources to support and enhance business performance.

3. Objectives of Managing IT To ensure that technology supports the organization’s broader business goals effectively and efficiently. To enhance operational performance through automation, elimination of redundancies, and improved transaction accuracy and speed. To support data-driven decision-making by utilizing analytics, business intelligence, and predictive modeling. To enable innovation by adopting emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing. To safeguard digital assets against internal and external threats, ensuring data security and privacy. To comply with legal regulations and industry-specific IT standards and frameworks. To achieve strategic alignment between IT capabilities and the organization’s long-term objectives. To deliver measurable business value from IT investments through optimal resource utilization and performance monitoring.

4. Key Components of IT Management IT Infrastructure Management Application Management Data and Information Management IT Security and Risk Management IT Governance IT Strategy and Alignment IT Service Management (ITSM)

5. Challenges in Managing IT Rapid Technological Change Cybersecurity Threats Budget Constraints Talent Shortage Integration Issues

6.   ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT Enterprise management is the administration and integration of all internal departments and processes within an organization. It focuses on ensuring that various business functions such as operations, finance, human resources, marketing, and IT work in coordination to achieve strategic goals.

7. Features of Enterprise Management 1 . Integration through ERP Systems Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are core tools used in enterprise management . 2 . Cross-functional Collaboration Enterprise management promotes collaboration across departments. 3. Centralized Planning and Monitoring Strategic goals are set at the top level and executed through well-monitored processes. 4 . Resource Optimization Effective enterprise management ensures optimal allocation and utilization of organizational resources—human, financial, and technological—thus minimizing wastage and controlling costs.

8. Importance of Enterprise Management 1 . Improved Operational Efficiency 2 . Better Decision-Making 3. Enhanced Coordination and Accountability 4 . Scalable Growth and Expansion

9. Global Management Global management involves overseeing business operations that span across international borders. It requires careful planning and coordination of global supply chains, human resources, marketing strategies, and financial systems, while navigating various legal, cultural, and economic environments.

10. Features of Global Management 1. Global Standardization and Local Adaptation A key feature is the balance between maintaining global business standards and tailoring products, services, or operations to suit local markets and preferences. 2. Cross-Cultural Competence Managers must be sensitive to cultural differences and adopt flexible communication and leadership styles to work effectively with international teams and partners. 3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance Businesses must operate in accordance with the local laws, trade regulations, labor rules, and tax policies of each country they operate in. 4. International Operations and Logistics Global management involves coordinating international supply chains, handling foreign currencies, managing multi-country production, and solving logistical complexities across borders.

11. Importance of Global Management 1. Market Expansion and Revenue Growth Global management allows organizations to enter new markets, reach a wider customer base, and increase overall revenues. 2. Risk Diversification By operating in multiple countries, companies reduce their dependence on a single market and minimize risks related to economic downturns or political instability. 3. Access to Global Talent and Resources It enables firms to hire skilled professionals globally and use international sourcing for raw materials, manufacturing, or services. 4. Strengthened Global Brand Image Through effective global strategies, companies build a consistent international brand presence and enhance their competitiveness.

12. Security and Ethical Challenges Security challenges refer to the threats and vulnerabilities that endanger the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of digital information. These challenges include unauthorized access, hacking, data theft, malware attacks, phishing scams, ransomware , and insider threats.

13. Types of Security Threats 1 . Malware and Ransomware Malware refers to malicious software such as viruses, worms, trojans , and spyware that disrupt operations or steal data. Ransomware locks users out of their systems or files until a ransom is paid, often in cryptocurrency . 2 . Phishing and Social Engineering Phishing involves tricking users into revealing confidential information by pretending to be a legitimate source. Social engineering manipulates human behavior to bypass technical security. 3 . Insider Threats Employees or trusted individuals may intentionally or unintentionally leak sensitive data or cause harm to the system. These threats are harder to detect and prevent. 4 . Denial-of-Service ( DoS ) Attacks Attackers flood a network or server with traffic to crash it and disrupt services. Distributed DoS ( DDoS ) attacks involve multiple systems launching the attack simultaneously. 5 . Data Breaches and Theft Hackers or unauthorized users gain access to sensitive data such as customer records, financial information, or trade secrets, resulting in financial loss and reputational damage.

14. Ethical Challenges in IT Ethical challenges in IT relate to the responsible and fair use of digital technologies. As information becomes easily accessible and sharable, organizations must make ethical decisions about how data is collected, stored, and used.

15. Key Ethical Issues in Information Technology Privacy and Data Protection 2 . Intellectual Property Rights 3. Workplace Monitoring 4 . Artificial Intelligence and Bias 5 . Social Media Responsibility

16. Legal and Regulatory Considerations GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) – European law that protects personal data and ensures privacy rights. IT Act 2000 (India) – Covers cybercrimes, data protection, and electronic transactions. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) – U.S. law protecting health information privacy. Copyright and Patent Laws – Protect digital intellectual property and software development.

17. Planning and Implementing Change Change is an inevitable part of every organization’s lifecycle. Planning and implementing change involves preparing the organization, designing the change strategy, executing the plan effectively, and ensuring long-term adaptation.

18. Steps in Planning Change Identifying the Need for Change Defining Objectives and Scope Assessing Readiness and Impact Developing the Change Strategy Engaging Stakeholders

19. Steps in Implementing Change Communication and Awareness Training and Support Executing the Plan Monitoring Progress and Feedback Reinforcement and Institutionalization

20. Challenges in Change Implementation Resistance to Change: Employees may resist due to fear, uncertainty, or lack of trust. Resource Constraints: Budget, time, and personnel limitations can hinder implementation if not planned properly. Lack of Leadership Support: Without visible and active leadership, change efforts may lose momentum. Cultural Barriers: Deeply ingrained organizational values and behaviors can slow or block the adoption of new ways of working.

21. Reports Reports are a core function of Management Information Systems (MIS), serving as tools to convert raw data into structured and meaningful information.

22. Various Types of MIS Reports Scheduled Reports On-Demand (Ad Hoc) Reports Exception Reports Summary Reports Drill-Down Reports Forecast and Predictive Reports

23. Graphical User Interface (GUI) in Reporting A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is a visual and interactive component of a Management Information System (MIS) that enables users to interact with the system using graphical elements such as icons, buttons, windows, and menus.

24. Other Presentation Tools Used in MIS Dashboards Data Visualization Tools Spreadsheet Reports Infographics and Slide Presentations