2005 Handbooks

Information systems are the foundation of e-business because e-business is about making extensive use of computer and communications technologies in critical business processes. Some of these uses are directed within the firm, others are associated with e-commerce, and others span the firm and its business partners. Most of today's important work systems in large organizations rely on information systems so completely that they cannot operate efficiently without the information systems. Anyone who intends to play an important role in business needs to understand information systems in order to understand the work systems through which organizations operate.

The primary objective of this unit is to increase your ability to recognise, describe, evaluate, analyse, design and develop information systems from a business professional's viewpoint. The focus is on the creation of business value by enabling business processes through the use of IS/T. Achievement of the unit's objectives will make you more able to play an effective part in information system development, management, and use, and more able to communicate effectively with IS/T professionals. The unit should be relevant to students from a variety of business specialisations including professional accounting.