Principles of information systems

Abstract

We are proud to publish this Australian adaptation of the successful Stair and Reynolds Principles of Information Systems. This adaptation builds on the success of the 7th edition, which already meets the need for a thorough introductory information systems text. This adaptation takes the best of the original United States edition and builds upon it, focusing on issues relevant to Australasia. We have listened to the needs of our colleagues throughout the region, making modifi cations and incorporating suggestions to refine this new edition. We hope you are pleased with the results. The overall goal of this edition was to develop an outstanding text that follows the pedagogy and approach of the US Stair and Reynolds Principles of Information Systems and its smaller, more concise version, the US Stair and Reynolds Fundamentals of Information Systems, 3rd edition, and to include Australasia-specific information and case studies, with additional practical content and activities. Today, information systems (IS) are used for business processes from communications to order processing and number crunching, and in business functions ranging from marketing to human resource management, accounting and fi nance. The chances are, regardless of your future occupation, you need to understand what IS can and cannot do and be able to use them to help you accomplish your work.You will be expected to suggest new uses of IS and participate in the design of solutions to business problems employing IS. You will be challenged to identify and evaluate IS options. To be successful, you must be able to view IS from the perspective of business and organisational needs. For your solutions to be accepted, you must identify and address their impact on fellow workers. For these reasons, a course in IS is essential for business students in today’s high-tech world. Our primary objective with this text is to develop the best IS text and accompanying materials for the fi rst information technology course required by all business students. We hope that this adaptation will stand alongside its US editions at the beginning of the IS curriculum, offering the basic IS concepts that every business student must learn in order to be successful. This text has been written specifi cally for the fi rst course in the IS curriculum, and it discusses computer and IS concepts in a business context with a strong managerial emphasis.