Henry C. Lucas

A descriptive model of information systems in the context of the organization

In the past fifteen years numerous information systems have been developed to support decisions in different organizations. A variety of researchers have explored topics in the field, though most of the existing literature on information systems is concerned with technical as opposed to human problems. Information systems, however, exist within the context of the organization and their success depends on solutions to organizational behavior problems in systems design, implementation, and operation. Many of these problems are quite severe, and success in solving them will determine whether computer - based information systems achieve their full potential for improving decision making in the organization.

Frameworks For Information Systems

AbstractSix frameworks for information systems are reviewed. Each framework is evaluated on a series of criteria describing its usefulness for academicians and practitioners. The evaluation demonstrates that each of the frameworks is best suited for certain purposes. An example is presented to illustrate the use of two of the frameworks in analysing an actual information systems problem. It is suggested that frameworks serve an important function in organizing ideas and approaches to problem solving in the emerging information systems field.

A study of computer use in a graduate school of business

Introduction In the past six years, U.S. business schools have greatly expanded their use of computers in teaching and research. In 1966, only 11 percent of the business schools required student proficiency in programming; by 1970, the total had risen to 62 percent and is undoubtedly higher today [1]. In 1971, the Graduate School of Business (GSB) at Stanford acquired a dedicated time-sharing system to replace the time-sharing services provided by the Stanford Computat ion Center (scc). A study of computer usage in the GSB and of the impact of the dedicated time-sharing system was conducted; detailed results may be found in [2]. Our purpose is to present the most interesting and pertinent findings of that study. A cumulative process model of the development of computing in a business school was developed and used to guide the analysis of data obtained from accounting records and questionnaires administered to students and faculty. The four stages of the model are: (1) the use of a computer by a few faculty members and Ph.D. students for research; (2) the development of a required computer course in the curriculum; (3) the expansion of computer use to other courses through cases, exercises, and projects; and (4) the evolution of the computer system into a general problem solving tool.

A CRT report generating system

Introduction A number of technical and management problems which can result in failure when developing computer systems have been reported [1,2,3]. Systems have also failed because users are not involved in their design [4]. The prototype system described in this paper facilitates the design of computer reports online by a programmer. 1 For the programmer, the system removes much of the tedium of the design, formatt ing and programming of computer system output reports. For the user, the system makes it easy to obtain pro forma output reports and encourages the programming staff to make changes recommended by the user. The programmer enters a preliminary design for a computer report including the program variables which will actually be printed and sample ranges for these variables. The system generates sample reports for user review and a series of editing commands makes it easy to modify the report in response to user suggestions. Properly formatted source language statements can be produced which will print the report when inserted in a production program. Though the system is described primarily in terms of batch processing reports, it can easily be used for developing online reports for hard copy or CRT terminals.

Performance evaluation and management of information services

Performance evaluation techniques can contribute substantially to the successful management of the information services function. Three major purposes for performance evaluation in a typical commercially oriented computer installation are discussed including the acquisition of new hardware and software, the improvement of existing computer operations, and the improvement of the systems design process. The most suitable of the various techniques for performance evaluation are discussed for each major purpose. A proposal is also made for extending performance evaluation beyond the hardware and software system to encompass the user.