Myles Stern

Relating benefits from using IS to an organization's operating characteristics: interpreting results from two countries

Abstract: To obtain the greatest benefit from its information system, an organization must determine which applications will provide the most benefit to organizational performance. This study reviews data collected from 310 manufacturing firms in Israel and 197 such firms in the U.S. For each firm, data were obtained about the benefits derived from using information systems, as perceived by a senior manager, and the organization’s operating characteristics. Data were pooled across both countries. No meaningful relationship was found between the benefit a firm derives from its overall information systems application portfolio and its organizational operating characteristics. However, for two individual applications, the benefit derived is linked significantly to the organization’s operating characteristics. Thus the model relating benefits from information systems to the organization’s operating environment, first demonstrated by data collected in Israel, is confirmed by the data collected in the U.S. The model applies across both countries, even though there may be differences between the two countries, for example, in culture, size of businesses, and relationship with customers and suppliers.

Hyperbaric oxygen in severe burns

When a preliminary analysis suggested that treatment with HBO might cause an increased mortality due to HBO, a paired control study of 36 patients treated with HBO and 36 matched controls was carried out. While mortality, mean day of death, and total hospital days were the same between the two groups, the HBO group suffered more kidney damage, had more positive blood cultures. The paired control method showed that the increased mortality observed in both groups of patients studied was not due to HBO treatment but to some other undetected selection factor. The findings that the HBO-treated patients had increased sepsis and renal damage warrants further investigation.

Computer conferencing for accounting instruction

Abstract Computer conferencing was used as a pedagogical device in an accounting information systems course. This article explains the nature of computer conferencing in general, illustrates the specific software package used and describes the instructional setting and the actual applications of conferencing in the course. An evaluation is made of the conferencing experience, delineating the effective aspects, explaining how other aspects might be improved and summarizing student reactions. Finally, the future of computer conferencing is considered and recommendations are given for making good use of this technique.

A data base course for business students

In order to outline what business students need to know about data base management (DBM), this paper first identifies the four most pertinent DBM concepts: (1) characteristics and benefits of DBM, (2) design of data base schemas, (3) set-theoretic queries, and (4) the transition to DBM. Next, the paper discusses four secondary concepts and the reasons for not stressing them. Finally, the need for further co-ordination between DBM instructors and faculty members in the functional areas of business administration is described.