- Email: [email protected]
Management of information systems technology
internationalJournal of InformationManagement
(1991), 7 7 (171-l 73)
Book Reviews Paul F. Burton (Editor). MS DOS software for library and information applications. Aldershot: Gower, 1990. 140 pp. ISBN 0 566 03617 7. f22.50. MS DOS software for library and information applications presents a series of case studies intended to evaluate a variety of software packages which have been applied in public, commercial and academic information and library environments. Not a guide to the use of MS DOS itself, the book is divided into three parts and considers the development of systems, hardware requirements and the application of software packages available for use in the MS DOS environment, in what are arguably the most important aspects of the information profession: Part One - information retrieval; Part Two - library and information service housekeeping; and Part Three - management information systems. The book covers topical aspects of automation in the information profession such as online facilities, decision support systems, and local area networks. Software considered includes major names such as dBase 111 and ill+, Smart, Open Access, Headline, Tinman and MicroCairs. Some more obscure packages are also included, for example, the Class and Cars package developed by G & G Software. Written in a straightforward style, each case study outlines not only the background to their particular project, but also the criteria the software had to meet in the particular circumstances of each application and the method by which the decision to purchase a particular package was reached. System design and functions are also covered in some detail and a general theme of the book is the importance of careful systems analysis. In addition to the advantages of automating systems, problems encountered and disadvantages are also explained, describing the features of the packages and also their limitations. In general the book gives the
whole process of developing automated systems for information management a well rounded and fair treatment, the overall tone of the book being one of enthusiasm for the capabilities and power afforded by such applications to the daily routines of library and information work. Turning to the sections of the book in particular, it would be fair to say that usefulness of each section will depend on the reader’s particular area of interest. Part One, concerning information storage and retrieval, assumes some knowledge of information storage and retrieval techniques as jargon relating to those aspects does tend to creep into the text. However, the section provides useful tips for the newly qualified manager which could be applied to any powerful database management system, and a useful ‘memory jogger’ for those .with more experience. Part Two, on library and information service housekeeping systems, whilst describing the application and use of a variety of also considers the human systems, aspect of automation, often overlooked by this sort of study. In particular the section pays attention to training needs and desirable approaches by which to achieve a positive attitude to automation. Part Three consists of only one case study on the development of a decision support system and presents a detailed and quite complicated description of the system, whilst also offering comments on the implications of decision support systems in library environments, where, it is stated, management information systems have failed to meet demands, arguably particularly pertinent in today’s political environment of financial c:ontrols and budgetary cuts. In general, a book such as this will date quickly as both software and hardware are improved and revised by the manufacturers. The book does, however, present a useful state-of-theart review of software applications from which new and experiened librarians and information managers may
gain useful insights into a variety of situational applications which could provide pointers for the development of practical systems for their own environment, and the book contains a bibliography which points to further useful texts for managers wishing to increase their understanding and knowledge of the capabilities of software and systems in the information field. Overall opinion? Not for the complete novice, but useful tool for those with some experience looking for practical guidance. A. Stevenson Information Services Manager North Derbyshire Health Authority UK
Janice Burn and Eveline Caldwell. Management of information systems technology. Henley-on-Thames: Alfred Wailer, 1990. 262 pp. ISBN 1 872474 00 4. What a refreshing change I found it to pick up a book in the information systems field that has not been written by an American, with the inevitable American case studies. This book, written by two Europeans, has a distinctively ‘Eastern’ feel since the two authors are currently teaching and researching in Hong Kong. The philosophy of the book is that in any organization it is important to look at the information needs and then design a suitable system. Or, as the back cover puts it: ‘the major emphasis of this book is the identification and development of the most effective type of information systems for a particular organization’. The reader may wonder what this has to do with the ‘management of information technology’ which is the title of the book. Having read all three parts of this book I am still left with the feeling that the title is somewhat of a misnomer. The three parts of the book cover: strategic modelling, strategies for in-
171
Book reviews
formation systems development, and the management of information technology. The titles for the first two parts of the book adequately reflect the material covered; however, the third part is really about application areas. It is only the final chapter which covers the management of technology. Part I is concerned with introducing systems concepts and models as a framework for understanding information, information systems and their role within organizations. These first few chapters are well conceived and bring together material from a variety of sources. The importance of recognizing information as a corporate strategic resource is rightly stressed. However, it is not until the reader has reached Chapter 9 in Part II that he or she is introduced to frameworks which can help link the corporate strategy to the IT strategy. Much recent work. by authors such as Earl and Galliers, is not referred to. This is a serious omission in a book which claims to focus on the effectiveness of IT within the organization. The final chapter in Part I, dealing with information technology, sits rather uneasily in the book. Getting down into the details of computer storage and magnetic discs seems to be out of place in the scheme of the book as a whole. The second part addresses the issues of information systems development. These issues are addressed within the theme of the strategic planning of information systems. Indeed one feels that some of the material presented here would have fit more readably in Part 1. There is a chapter on implementation, a very important topic indeed. However, the opportunity is missed to discuss the organizational factors of implementation - for example, pilot studies versus a ‘big bang’ approach. Part III covers applications of relevance to managers rather than, as the title suggests, the management of information technology. The first chapter here again returns to the theme of the book as a whole and one wonders whether this material would be better presented much earlier. Later chapters cover decision support, expert systems and office systems. A rather
172
small chapter of two pages pays lip service to the importance of small business systems. The final chapter covers the area that the title of the book might lead us to suppose the whole book is about, namely the management of the information resource. Overall this is a useful contribution to the literature on information technology within organizations. Its weak point is that the structure and organization of the book could be better. Nevertheless, this is a book to be recommended for Masters and first degree students on business information systems courses.
Warwick
Business
D. Grimshaw School. UK
W.R. Pickering (Editor). Information sources in pharmaceuticals. London: Bowker-Saur, 19Y0. 565 pp. ISBN 0 408 20.518 2. f55. This is a significant addition to the series of guides previously known as the Butterworths guides to information sources. Like others of the series, it consists of a collection of chapters each written by a different author or authors under a general edition. This has, in some of the previous volumes of the series, led to considerable variation in the quality of the chapters, but in this volume the quality, like that of authors themselves, is consistently high. However, it is inevitable, with such a broad multidisciplinary area to cover, that this volume exhibits other weaknesses of previous volumes, gaps in coverage and lack of linkage between chapters. Sensibly, the editor has left basic discussion of the sources for the underlying disciplines to other guides in the series (some of which now are somewhat out of date), but more cross-references to these would have been useful. The book is divided into three parts; the first of which covers both scientific, legal and commercial information sources relating to pharmaceuticals; the second deals with information sources for marketed pharmaceuticals, the pharmaceutical industry as information provider and the role of the World Health Organiza-
tion; the third part is a worthwhile examination of information in pharmaceuticals in seven geographical areas. The main lack that I feel is for a chapter on searching for information on a pharmaceutical product using the sources mentioned. In particular, I should like to know more about searching using the names and numbers associated with a particular pharmaceutical at various stages of its development as well as other aspects of nomenclature in this context. Incidentally, MIMS (the Monthly Index of Medical Specialities) is only mentioned in the chapter on Central Africa. F. Wood Department of Information Studies University of Sheffield, UK
R. Lester and J. Waters. Environmental scanning and business strategy. London: British Library, 1989. (Library and Information Research Report 75). 156 pp. ISBN 0 7123 3203 0. f25. This is a somewhat delayed report of work undertaken by the authors in 1986 - but not the less useful for the delay. It presents the environmental scanning activities of corporate planning departments in ‘seven large UKbased companies’, with particular reference to the use of publicly-available information for long-term strategic planning purposes. Only one company had a very sophisticated method for environmental scanning and, unfortunately, only the briefest description is given - ‘Partly for confidentiality reasons’. The company had established a separate environmental-scanning unit, separate from corporate planning, but making use of its information service and developing its own computer-based files of information. In the case of the other six, the authors note that it was difficult to separate scanning in general from scanning for strategic purThe inability to report the poses. methods of the seventh company is unfortunate, since the authors report that:
(1991), 7 7 (171-l 73)
Book Reviews Paul F. Burton (Editor). MS DOS software for library and information applications. Aldershot: Gower, 1990. 140 pp. ISBN 0 566 03617 7. f22.50. MS DOS software for library and information applications presents a series of case studies intended to evaluate a variety of software packages which have been applied in public, commercial and academic information and library environments. Not a guide to the use of MS DOS itself, the book is divided into three parts and considers the development of systems, hardware requirements and the application of software packages available for use in the MS DOS environment, in what are arguably the most important aspects of the information profession: Part One - information retrieval; Part Two - library and information service housekeeping; and Part Three - management information systems. The book covers topical aspects of automation in the information profession such as online facilities, decision support systems, and local area networks. Software considered includes major names such as dBase 111 and ill+, Smart, Open Access, Headline, Tinman and MicroCairs. Some more obscure packages are also included, for example, the Class and Cars package developed by G & G Software. Written in a straightforward style, each case study outlines not only the background to their particular project, but also the criteria the software had to meet in the particular circumstances of each application and the method by which the decision to purchase a particular package was reached. System design and functions are also covered in some detail and a general theme of the book is the importance of careful systems analysis. In addition to the advantages of automating systems, problems encountered and disadvantages are also explained, describing the features of the packages and also their limitations. In general the book gives the
whole process of developing automated systems for information management a well rounded and fair treatment, the overall tone of the book being one of enthusiasm for the capabilities and power afforded by such applications to the daily routines of library and information work. Turning to the sections of the book in particular, it would be fair to say that usefulness of each section will depend on the reader’s particular area of interest. Part One, concerning information storage and retrieval, assumes some knowledge of information storage and retrieval techniques as jargon relating to those aspects does tend to creep into the text. However, the section provides useful tips for the newly qualified manager which could be applied to any powerful database management system, and a useful ‘memory jogger’ for those .with more experience. Part Two, on library and information service housekeeping systems, whilst describing the application and use of a variety of also considers the human systems, aspect of automation, often overlooked by this sort of study. In particular the section pays attention to training needs and desirable approaches by which to achieve a positive attitude to automation. Part Three consists of only one case study on the development of a decision support system and presents a detailed and quite complicated description of the system, whilst also offering comments on the implications of decision support systems in library environments, where, it is stated, management information systems have failed to meet demands, arguably particularly pertinent in today’s political environment of financial c:ontrols and budgetary cuts. In general, a book such as this will date quickly as both software and hardware are improved and revised by the manufacturers. The book does, however, present a useful state-of-theart review of software applications from which new and experiened librarians and information managers may
gain useful insights into a variety of situational applications which could provide pointers for the development of practical systems for their own environment, and the book contains a bibliography which points to further useful texts for managers wishing to increase their understanding and knowledge of the capabilities of software and systems in the information field. Overall opinion? Not for the complete novice, but useful tool for those with some experience looking for practical guidance. A. Stevenson Information Services Manager North Derbyshire Health Authority UK
Janice Burn and Eveline Caldwell. Management of information systems technology. Henley-on-Thames: Alfred Wailer, 1990. 262 pp. ISBN 1 872474 00 4. What a refreshing change I found it to pick up a book in the information systems field that has not been written by an American, with the inevitable American case studies. This book, written by two Europeans, has a distinctively ‘Eastern’ feel since the two authors are currently teaching and researching in Hong Kong. The philosophy of the book is that in any organization it is important to look at the information needs and then design a suitable system. Or, as the back cover puts it: ‘the major emphasis of this book is the identification and development of the most effective type of information systems for a particular organization’. The reader may wonder what this has to do with the ‘management of information technology’ which is the title of the book. Having read all three parts of this book I am still left with the feeling that the title is somewhat of a misnomer. The three parts of the book cover: strategic modelling, strategies for in-
171
Book reviews
formation systems development, and the management of information technology. The titles for the first two parts of the book adequately reflect the material covered; however, the third part is really about application areas. It is only the final chapter which covers the management of technology. Part I is concerned with introducing systems concepts and models as a framework for understanding information, information systems and their role within organizations. These first few chapters are well conceived and bring together material from a variety of sources. The importance of recognizing information as a corporate strategic resource is rightly stressed. However, it is not until the reader has reached Chapter 9 in Part II that he or she is introduced to frameworks which can help link the corporate strategy to the IT strategy. Much recent work. by authors such as Earl and Galliers, is not referred to. This is a serious omission in a book which claims to focus on the effectiveness of IT within the organization. The final chapter in Part I, dealing with information technology, sits rather uneasily in the book. Getting down into the details of computer storage and magnetic discs seems to be out of place in the scheme of the book as a whole. The second part addresses the issues of information systems development. These issues are addressed within the theme of the strategic planning of information systems. Indeed one feels that some of the material presented here would have fit more readably in Part 1. There is a chapter on implementation, a very important topic indeed. However, the opportunity is missed to discuss the organizational factors of implementation - for example, pilot studies versus a ‘big bang’ approach. Part III covers applications of relevance to managers rather than, as the title suggests, the management of information technology. The first chapter here again returns to the theme of the book as a whole and one wonders whether this material would be better presented much earlier. Later chapters cover decision support, expert systems and office systems. A rather
172
small chapter of two pages pays lip service to the importance of small business systems. The final chapter covers the area that the title of the book might lead us to suppose the whole book is about, namely the management of the information resource. Overall this is a useful contribution to the literature on information technology within organizations. Its weak point is that the structure and organization of the book could be better. Nevertheless, this is a book to be recommended for Masters and first degree students on business information systems courses.
Warwick
Business
D. Grimshaw School. UK
W.R. Pickering (Editor). Information sources in pharmaceuticals. London: Bowker-Saur, 19Y0. 565 pp. ISBN 0 408 20.518 2. f55. This is a significant addition to the series of guides previously known as the Butterworths guides to information sources. Like others of the series, it consists of a collection of chapters each written by a different author or authors under a general edition. This has, in some of the previous volumes of the series, led to considerable variation in the quality of the chapters, but in this volume the quality, like that of authors themselves, is consistently high. However, it is inevitable, with such a broad multidisciplinary area to cover, that this volume exhibits other weaknesses of previous volumes, gaps in coverage and lack of linkage between chapters. Sensibly, the editor has left basic discussion of the sources for the underlying disciplines to other guides in the series (some of which now are somewhat out of date), but more cross-references to these would have been useful. The book is divided into three parts; the first of which covers both scientific, legal and commercial information sources relating to pharmaceuticals; the second deals with information sources for marketed pharmaceuticals, the pharmaceutical industry as information provider and the role of the World Health Organiza-
tion; the third part is a worthwhile examination of information in pharmaceuticals in seven geographical areas. The main lack that I feel is for a chapter on searching for information on a pharmaceutical product using the sources mentioned. In particular, I should like to know more about searching using the names and numbers associated with a particular pharmaceutical at various stages of its development as well as other aspects of nomenclature in this context. Incidentally, MIMS (the Monthly Index of Medical Specialities) is only mentioned in the chapter on Central Africa. F. Wood Department of Information Studies University of Sheffield, UK
R. Lester and J. Waters. Environmental scanning and business strategy. London: British Library, 1989. (Library and Information Research Report 75). 156 pp. ISBN 0 7123 3203 0. f25. This is a somewhat delayed report of work undertaken by the authors in 1986 - but not the less useful for the delay. It presents the environmental scanning activities of corporate planning departments in ‘seven large UKbased companies’, with particular reference to the use of publicly-available information for long-term strategic planning purposes. Only one company had a very sophisticated method for environmental scanning and, unfortunately, only the briefest description is given - ‘Partly for confidentiality reasons’. The company had established a separate environmental-scanning unit, separate from corporate planning, but making use of its information service and developing its own computer-based files of information. In the case of the other six, the authors note that it was difficult to separate scanning in general from scanning for strategic purThe inability to report the poses. methods of the seventh company is unfortunate, since the authors report that: