Knowledge Worker Information Systems - Assignment Example

Discussion Questions: Knowledge Worker Information Systems Introduction The question of who a knowledge worker is and what they do is widely debated. However, a basic feature of knowledge work that separates it from other kinds of work is its elementary task of solving new problems as they emerge. The task requires creative thinking. Thus, the main capital of the knowledge worker is knowledge. Examples of knowledge workers are academics, doctors, scientists and software engineers. An information system is a combination of people and computers that works as a unit to process or interpret information. The basic aim of an information system id to avail useful information that can be used for organizational decision-making. Thus, a knowledge worker information system is the combination of data, computer hardware and software and processes that the knowledge worker uses to arrive at decisions in the course of their worker. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the importance of the knowledge worker information system, together with its relevant aspects, in the work of the knowledge worker and to the organization that employs the knowledge worker as a whole. Question 8.1 Importance of security and privacy In today's competitive business environment, information is a major success factor for an organization[ CITATION Bri13 \l 1033 ]. For instance, the marketing manager needs information on the plans and actions of their competitors. These have an effect on whether or not a company succeeds. At the same time, the manager must ensure that their information system is secure and cannot be hacked into by rivals. Thus, a good knowledge worker information system must take into consideration the security of the system. Privacy is an important element of a good information system[ CITATION Pet13 \l 1033 ]. The users of an information system should not worry about their personal and secret information getting into the wrong hands. This is especially important in the so-called Information Age in which cybercrime is rampant. For instance, a professor who uses Skype to deliver their lectures does not wish to have their personal information leak to their students. Assuring good outcomes and addressing risks A proper information system can deliver useful information when it is needed[ CITATION Hsu14 \l 1033 ]. This is crucial because some of the decisions that the knowledge worker makes are urgent yet they far-reaching implications for the organization. For example, a production manager whose organization uses just-in-time delivery of raw materials risks losing a customer if the information system fails to inform the supplier of the need to deliver raw materials. The efficiency of the system depends on the efficiency of the individual components of the system – hardware, software, data, personnel and processes. The failure of one component means failure of the entire system. A good information system should address the risk of unauthorized people accessing sensitive information [ CITATION Dul13 \l 1033 ]. One way an organization could do this is by putting in place controls. For instance, thereshould be a system administrator who keeps custody of passwords and other critical information. Writer’s thought Security and privacy are two important considerations an organization should consider when setting up an information system. The failure to do so exposes the knowledge worker and the entire organization of sensitive information leaking out. Such an eventuality could jeopardize the plans of the organization. Question 8.2 Outsourcing and knowledge worker information systems Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is the procedure of an organization entering into an arrangement with another organization so that the latter performs the non-core functions of the former[ CITATION Qui11 \l 1033 ]. BPO allows the outsourcing organization to focus its time and resources on its core activities. The outsourcing organization could delegate some of its activities to a firm located in the same country or abroad. The former is called off-shore outsourcing or off-shoring. For instance, a research institute could outsource cleaning activities at its premises to a cleaning services company in the same town. Many information systems practitioners believe that outsourcing is the future of knowledge information systems[ CITATION Qui11 \l 1033 ]. In fact, they claim that already, this is a trend, albeit on a small scale. They argue that outsourcing provides many benefits both to the outsourcing and the recipient organizations. One of the benefits to the outsourcing firm is zero costs of running the system. Justification As already pointed out, the promoters of knowledge information systems contend that when an organization outsources its knowledge information system to a third party, it rids itself of the costs of setting up and maintaining the system. However, there is very limited empirical or another evidence to prove that it is cheaper for an organization to let a third party run its knowledge database as opposed to running it by itself. Until proven, this claim must be discounted. Another argument for knowledge information system outsourcing is that a third party is disinterested in the information it manages for its client and is, therefore, likely to maintain accurate, reliable information, void of vested interests. For instance, an entrepreneur who outsources their accounting function to an accounting firm stands to benefit from an objective analysis of their financial position. Otherwise, money can be very emotional and lead to the demise of the enterprise if the business owner insisted on keeping their books. Writer’s thought The author agrees with the above arguments. However, much of the information held in the information system is sensitive. Consequently, an organization may not be willing to outsource that function, lest the organization to which the activity is outsourced should collude with the rivals of the former. Therefore, before deciding to outsource its knowledge information system, an organization must probe the party it intends to outsource the task to. Question 8.3 Corporate leadership in information systems PayPal is likely to be a global leader in knowledge information systems. PayPal is an American-based global e-commerce firm that allows people to make and receive payments online[ CITATION Pay13 \l 1033 ]. PayPal was founded in 2000. By 2014, the company operated in 203 markets around the world with 148 million active registered users. The company intends to expand even further. To be able to manage such big a number of customers around the world, PayPal must have put in place a robust information system. The author believes the information system can tell PayPal, which markets are more lucrative and, therefore, worth pursuing with a lot more zeal and resources. Given that the company is still growing, it will have to invest more in its knowledge information system in order to realize increased profitability from its growth, thereby becoming a potential world leader in information systems technology. Role of knowledge worker information systems in delivering stakeholder advantages Besides increasing access to information, the growing penetration of information and communication technologies has increased public demand for information from organizations. A well-designed and managed information system will enable an organization to present meaningful information to its stakeholders[ CITATION Cha13 \l 1033 ]. These include its clients, investors and regulators. For instance, with the information system, the organization can convince its investors that it has a competitive advantage over its competitors. Such information, if verified, could persuade the investors to invest more in the organization in return for a promise of more returns on their investment. In addition, a functioning information system could avail useful information regarding unmet consumer needs to the R & D department of the organization[ CITATION Wan14 \l 1033 ]. The department could use that information to develop products that address those specific needs. The firm’s customers would benefit from higher quality products that satisfy their needs while the firm enjoys higher profits. Writer’s thought The significance of a knowledge information system cannot be ignored. Corporate global leaders like PayPal do not attain that level by accident. They deliberately maintain relevant, up to date information systems. These provide them with useful information on which their decisions are based. The information is used to meet the needs and expectations of the organization’s various stakeholders. With their expectations met, the stakeholders continue to support the firm in return. Conclusion The purpose of a knowledge information system is to provide an organization with cutting-edge information that will help it stay ahead of the completion. For this to happen, however, the system must be well-designed and managed and secure. An organization could choose to run its knowledge information system, or it could outsource the task to a third party. Either way, the system should be run in such a way that it maximizes benefits to the organization and its stakeholders. References CITATION Bri13 \l 1033 : , (Brinkley, Fauth, Mahdon, & Theodoropoulou, 2013), CITATION Pet13 \l 1033 : , (Petter, DeLone, & McLean, 2013), CITATION Hsu14 \l 1033 : , (Hsu, Chu, Lin, & Lo, 2014), CITATION Dul13 \l 1033 : , (Dulipovici & Robey, 2013), CITATION Qui11 \l 1033 : , (Quin, 2011), CITATION Pay13 \l 1033 : , (PayPal, 2013), CITATION Cha13 \l 1033 : , (Chang, 2013), CITATION Wan14 \l 1033 : , (Wang, Noe, & Wang, 2014), Read More