Question 1
The world is also changing rapidly from an industrial society to a more information oriented society. Technology is driving the societies today. Organizations, especially international organizations require communication systems that are effective for easy communication. Management Information Systems (MIS) affect the way companies make their products and services unique. Apple’s organization structure and the global presence, backed with several other domains in the industry, require that the information system be disseminated (Jun &King 2008).
Disseminating the system of information in an organization ensures that the right information reaches the right person at the most appropriate time. Therefore, the organizational decisions made by these individuals become consistent with the business information that has been availed. Apple tries to manage information in a very systematic way. The main objective of Apple has been to be the leader when it comes to innovation. The company extends this philosophy in the way they manage communication in the company management of the company’s internal communication shows superiority of the company.
Most of the processes within the company are visualized. The company’s management believes that visualisation of processes gives the company competitive advantage over other companies within the same industry. Apple has an intranet that gives the platform for this process. The intranet enables employees to be in a position to access any relevant data while still at their desks. The company also has an extranet, which enables interaction with the people who are outside the organization such as suppliers, lenders, and developers of various applications. This helps the organization to create a value chain in the information system through creation a link, which is virtual, between production departments and suppliers. These, further, link the company to the retailers/ retail stores. Information that comes from the retail stores is received at the customer care unit, which already has access to other company’s information such as production and supplies details.
Therefore, by simply clicking the mouse, Apple Company is able to offer services to its clients. Customers have been able to get customised services. Apple has also been up to utility computing whereby it aims at reducing computer assets owned by the company. The company is also making payments for any undertaken services. This is referred to as Software as a Service. The company has, therefore, been able to compete well with the competitors in the market place. The information system has been made effective and quite leaner through such procedures (Bardhan, Demirkan, Kannan, Kauffman, & Sougstad 2010).
Question 2
Apple has established virtual communities whereby employees interact with the suppliers in developing new technologies. This is in line with the company’s goal of being a leader in innovation. Given the increased insecurity in the world, Apple has developed software that makes it hard to hack its information systems. Firewall proof systems have been established by the company to ensure security of the organization’s information systems. In today’s changing environment, it has become necessary for corporations to consider social responsibility.
A part of this is ethics. Information relating to employees, customers, and other stakeholders such as suppliers is kept by the company’s management. Apple ensures that all the data is protected. To some extent, there is limitation of data usage to avoid controversies that may result due to data leakage to unauthorized people. Apple has been very careful in differentiating between individual’s attributes and knowledge regarding the organization. This is usually identified as knowledge concerning organizational products, suppliers, procedures, customers, as well as competitors. This knowledge is in the mind of organizational employees. Apple, therefore, depends on the behaviour of employees to transfer any knowledge. The company understands that intellectual property issue should be handled with care when it comes to management of information systems. This helps in that the company cannot lose to its competitors (Mantell 2012).
Apple does not use standardization approach when undertaking strategic decisions regarding management of information systems. Decisions made by the company always suit the company’s needs. The company has ensured standardisation of systems in all the regions that it operates. Voice-over-networks have been deployed by the company’s management. This helps in closing any communication gap that may be in the system.
The value chain has been revolutionized to make information available in medium, which is mobile such as smart phones. This has made it easier for the managers to access information so as to make important organizational decisions timely. Also, instead of apple using external consultants, the company has relied heavily of internal experts. This has been possible because Apple involves knowledge management to achieve efficiencies in managing information systems.
Apple has also ensured the incorporation of a mechanism of feedback in the information systems. As a result, desired success has been achieved and any flaws are easily identified, and addressed. A contingency situation can be created in case flaws are not addressed, but through smart feedback mechanism, such issues get handled before it is too late. The company validates all the information before making any decisions because there could be bias between regions or departments. Failure to verify information can lead to poor decisions, but Apple understands this issue (Shajahan & Priyadharshini 2004).
The organization continues to scan the geographical regions so as to identify any potential threats that may arise, for example, due to political instability, or any other environmental changes. Special systems have been established by the organization so as to receive this kind of information that may affect the organization’s business activities. Apple works closely with the public relations department and the organization’s communications team. This has been enabled by the information systems network of the organization. Through this strategy, information availability has been made easily accessible to the employees or the team responsible for decision making.
In conclusion, Management of Information Systems is necessary for any organization. It provides competitive advantage when it comes to market competition. This is, however, possible if the organization manages the information systems effectively and efficiently. On the other hand, failure to plan well can make an organization to lose out to the competitors, which is a risk because the company can incur losses, following poor decision making. Decisions are only made accordingly, if there is appropriate information available to the managers. In general, properly manage Information systems ensures strategic well being of an organization. MIS is a difference that brings a difference within an organization (King 2009).
References
Bardhan, I, Demirkan, H, Kannan, P, Kauffman, R, & Sougstad, R 2010, 'An Interdisciplinary Perspective on IT Services Management and Service Science', Journal of Management Information Systems, 26, 4, pp. 13-64.
Jun, H., & King, W. R. 2008. The Role of User Participation in Information Systems Development: Implications from a Meta-Analysis. Journal of Management Information Systems, 25(1), 301-331.
King, W. 2009. Planning for Information Systems. Vancouver: M. E. Sharpe.
Mantell, A. 2012. Apple's iBooks: New Kid on the Block. Information Today, 29(4), 1-33.
Shajahan, S. S., & Priyadharshini, R. R. 2004. Management Information Systems. California: New Age International [P] Ltd.
Apple’s organizational structure and primary activities
Source: Lliev, et al, 2004, Strategic audit.
