MIS and Decision Science at TAMIU The Department and its programs

Ned Florencio Kock, ChairDept. of MIS and Decision ScienceTexas A&M International University

What are MIS and DS?

• MIS = Management Information Systems– Field of research and teaching concerned

with the study of information technologies and their impact on people and organizations

• DS = Decision Science– Focuses on the use of quantitative methods

for decision making in organizations, primarily using complex statistical analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, LISREL, PLS)

MIS vs. computer science

• First computer ever: ENIAC, 1946

• IT applications = computer science, up until 1970s

• MIS emerges in the 1970s– Largely because of dismay IT productivity returns in the

service sector– MISQ journal first published in 1977– First ICIS conference in 1980

• MIS today = IT to enable business process improvement– Largely due to the emergence of business process redesign

in the early 1990s

• What has been the average increase in labor productivity from the late 1960s to the early 1990s?

• Considering that:– The average IT investment per employee

has been $ 3,000 per year in the service sector

– The average IT investment in the manufacturing sector has been of $1,500 per year

IT productivity returns question

• In the service sector as a whole~ zero percent

• In the banking and insurance areas~ minus 10 percent

• In the manufacturing sector~ 15 percent

Sources: Hacket, 1990, Sloan Management ReviewRai et. al, 1997, Communication of ACM

IT productivity returns answer

Productivity growth from the 1950s to the 1990s

MIS vs. outsourcing

• Jobs that focus on using IT to enable business process improvement are relatively difficult to outsource– Key reason: They require local business knowledge

in addition to IT knowledge

• Jobs that focus on IT knowledge along are relatively easy to outsource– E.g., generic computer programming, preparation of

generic manuals for IT hardware and software

• MIS programs usually prepare students for the first type of jobs above

MIS and DS programs at TAMIU• Major programs

– Master of Science in Information Systems (MS-IS)– Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in

Management Information Systems (BBA-MIS)

• Other programs– Management Information Systems Concentration in

the Ph.D. Program in International Business Administration

– Management Information Systems Concentration in the Master of Business Administration Program

– Minor in Management Information Systems Program (for undergraduate students majoring in programs outside the College of Business Administration)

Master of Science in Information Systems (MS-IS)

Bachelor of Bus. Admin. with a major in MIS (BBA-MIS)

MIS Concentration in the Ph.D. Program in IBA

MIS Concentration in the MBA Program

Minor in MIS Program

MIS career paths

MIS graduates begin their careers in a broad range of roles, which include software systems analysis, technical marketing, and management

consulting. They often later migrate to other business functions where they may take a more

managerial role with respect to a technology-based business activity, but nevertheless are

effective in extracting value from that technology because of their technical

background.

Source: Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University

What are our students saying?

Juan Sanchez, BBA-MIS (2004)“The course content and instruction was exceptional. Course content involved

both past, current, and future trends and elements of the IT industry. The information obtained in the classroom gave me a competitive edge when seeking

internship/employment opportunities. Overall, the faculty of the MIS and Decision Science Department can be best summed up as energetic, insightful,

and student-oriented.”

Rene F. Cruz, MS-IS (1999)“As a graduate of the MS-IS program at TAMIU and lifelong resident of Laredo,

TAMIU has provided me with the opportunity to expand my educational endeavors. My work experience and Master’s degree has allowed me to

progress to the position of Director of Information Technology at Laredo Medical Center. During my coursework, I was continually challenged by the faculty in

terms of conducting research, developing strategic planning skills, exploring new technology, and exchanging different points-of-views among faulty and fellow

students. I highly recommend TAMIU to anyone who is interested fulfilling his or her potential.”

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