CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Services
represent substantial part of business output and investments. In providing
these services, Management Information System (MIS) is employed to facilitate
the services, which represents a substantial portion of corporate spending. The
objective of such investments is to create business value. But in order for any
investment to have a positive impact on business value, additional revenues
need to be created or overall costs reduced. Thus, when evaluating investments
in services that have potential contributions to the improvement of business
performance, the interactions of costs among the various business processes and
activities need to be considered (Roztocki and Weistroffer, 2008).
Investment
in information technology can have dramatic effects on both the internal and
external operations of a business organization as well as academic
institutions. Internally, improved IT systems can enhance and strengthen
organizational infrastructure and capacity by increasing employees’ efficiency;
service coordination; information sharing between departments, financial record
keeping and tracking of an organization’s production and impact. Externally,
information technology solutions can fundamentally transform business
organization service delivery (Allison, 2010).
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
The
problem of the study lies in the fact that the University of Uyo has not
accommodated the change towards the use of technology in performing its
functions and operations; it rather remained in the same position away from
progress and excellence, due to the intensification of competition between
private and public organizations as a result of the multiplicity and diversity
of services and organizations that provide such services on one hand, and the
high level of their needs and expectations and desires, and different standards
of judgment of the quality of services that they consume the other hand. The
use of technology has many positive and effective advantages that are reflected
on the organization itself such as technological development, competition, the
desire to improve work and others, which leaves various outcomes and results on
the organization, both at the level of work and the services provided. So the
problem of the study is illustrated by the lack of awareness and knowledge of
the impact of using of management information systems technology and quality on
the services provided by the University of Uyo in AkwaIbom State, Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The
main objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of management
information system on service delivery in academic institutions in Nigeria.
The
study also tries to investigate how internet facility has contributed to online
interaction within the university community, and lastly, it examines the
inhibiting factors of management information system development.
1.3 Research
Questions
1.
What is the effect of management
information system on service delivery in academic institutions in Nigeria?
2.
How has internet facility contributed
to online interaction within the university community.
3.
What are inhibiting factors of
management information system development
1.5 Research Hypotheses
Ho:
Management information system has no significant effect on service delivery in
academic institutions in Nigeria.
Hi:Management
information system has no significant effect on service delivery in academic
institutions in Nigeria.
1.6 Significance of the Study
University
administrators around the world are expanding their investment in information
technology (IT), specifically the web technology and Internet in carrying out
activities such as teaching, student registration and exam processing (Yang,
2008; Ting, 2005; Chen & Paul, 2003; Huang et al, 2004). Likewise,
lecturers and students are using the Internet as medium of communication.
Lecturers are being requested to make their teaching materials available online
on institution’s websites for students’ accessibility. Students are encouraged
to communicate with instructors, or with one another, via email (Chenug and
Huang, 2005).
Therefore,
the impact of management information system on service delivery and business
value is an important issue for researchers, resource managers and other
stakeholders. Management information system and service delivery include
productivity enhancement, profitability improvement, improved work relations,
competitive advantage and efficient use of resources at both intermediate level
and organizational level (Prasad 2008; Melville et al., 2004; Devaraj 2003; and
Kohli 2003). While institutions invest substantially in IT resources both in
developing and developed countries, much attention has not been given to the
understanding of how IT creates value in business in developing countries. Many
of the findings from developed countries have a limited value to stakeholders
in developing countries (Prasad 2008). The topic of the payoffs of IT
investments in the developing countries is an important issue for business
managers and academics researchers. It has been observed that very little
research is reported about the impact of IT investments on business value and
service delivery in organizations (Roztocki et al.,2004). An understanding of
the contribution of IT investments to business value and service delivery in
developing countries will provide investors more confidence and direction in
their IT investments (Prasad 2008).
1.7 Scope/Limitations of the Study
The
study used University of Uyo as a case study. The study
identifies
the impact of management information system on academic and administrative
activities such as lecture delivery and examination processing.
Limitations of study
1.
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the
efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature
or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire
and interview).
2.
Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously
engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down
on the time devoted for the research work.
1.8 Definition
of terms
Management
Information System:is a computerized database of financial information organized
and programmed in such a way that it produces regular reports on operations for
every level of management in a company.
Service
Delivery: is a component of business that defines the interaction
between providers and clients where the provider offers a service,
whether that be information or a task, and the client either finds value or
loses value as a result.