Page 17 - Information Management 3rd Edition

Chapter 1 – The role of information management within a business
Information needs of supervisors (lower-level managers)
The supervisors need information to enable them to function on a day-to-day basis. They need information to control the daily operations. They can obtain this information from predetermined schedules, Gantt charts, observation, budgets and feedback from subordinates. This data or information is then processed to enable them to make meaningful decisions regarding corrective action or changes if and when necessary. The relevant information is also given to middle management on a weekly or monthly basis as feedback regarding operations, the work processes and productivity.
The flow of information in the business
Pre-pub
Managers and employees at all levels of the business need information to make decisions and solve problems in their daily work. Information flows vertically and horizontally within the business. As we have seen, higher-level managers need information for strategic planning, while middle- and lower-level managers need information for the implementation of these plans and daily operations. Employees need information to accomplish their tasks. Figure 1.2 illustrates the flow of information and the information needs in a business.
copy
Top management. Formulate strategies, policies, long-term plans and objectives. Make strategic decisions.
Middle-level (functional) management. Formulate tactical plans and objectives. Provide functional strategies and guidelines for first-line managers.
Lower-level managers (supervisors) Implement operational plans and objectives Make on-the-spot decisions. Transact day-to-day business operations.
Figure 1.2 Information flows vertically and horizontally within the business to facilitate decision-making
Intelligence information gathered from external environment
Public information distributed
to external environment
11
Juta_Information Management 3E.indb 11
2021/05/28
14:24