What are management information systems? A simple answer would be that management information systems are systems that are used to deliver management information. It could also be said that these systems might or might not be implemented by means of computing technology. They might be very formalized (i.e., explicit) or more informal (i.e., implicit). The real problem in understanding management information systems comes with what is defined as management information, as well as the particular view taken on how managers actually go about engaging with this information and these systems in doing managerial work on a day-to-day basis. Generally, the controversy with these systems is not about what they are but rather about why they are necessary or not and how they are actually used or not. It is in addressing these questions that a particular view of management information systems will...