Information Systems: Basis of Modern Communications, Decision-Making, and Politics

Information systems is integral to modern communications, decision-making, and politics. Information systems is the way in which modern societies amass, analyze, and store data used for distribution, conclusions, and affairs of state. Organizations such as governments and military, corporations, healthcare, schools as well as families depend upon information systems to administer and control their networks on both domestic and global levels. The internet was founded on information systems and the internet is the way in which most organizations facilitate international financial decision-making, contact third party suppliers, and manage personnel. Governments use information systems to supply services to their citizenry at local, national, and international levels. Healthcare requires information for everything from diagnostics to surgery. Software and eBooks, scholarly articles and research, selling and buying venues and transportation rely on information systems. Information systems are part of daily life, making it possible for individuals to conduct everything from their social life and homework to their banking and bill paying.

Information systems is essential to communication systems in a modern age where technology is assumed. Organizations who need to communicate data to groups and individuals rapidly rely on efficient information systems, with proper risk management protocols. Huber offers the example of email. Email is essential to modern communications as well as storage and sharing of data about market shares and stakeholders. Communication researchers study the progression, configuration, and routines of communication technologies over time using information systems. In his study, George P. Huber concluded that information communication systems are stable factors that change little over time and are consistent throughout same type organizations. He predicts that the capacity and variety of communication technologies will become more divergent in the future. Huber cites technology-based communication systems such as email, image and video relay, sharing, and conferencing as examples of the stability of communication information systems. Personnel within organizations and their partners benefit from the constancy of communicate systems.

In Majid Tehranian’s many articles and books, he perceives a different trend than Huber. To Tehranian (1999), information systems such as those used in finance, politics, and culture developed independently. In the future information systems will merge not diverge. Tehranian predicts that international information systems will eventually destabilize established government spheres and weaken national sovereignty. He asserts this undermining has already occurred. Giving as an example satellites that cross international borders and relay communications across those borders.

According to Huber (n.d.), information systems is crucial to decision-making processes, especially those that seek to gain input from people in diverse locations. Information systems and decision-support technologies decrease the need for conventional, in-person decision-making gatherings. Information systems and decision-support technologies require less of a time commitment than traditional decision-related conferences and meetings. Using decision-support technologies allows for standardized sharing on all levels and in all locations. In smaller organizations, decision-support technologies allow sharing with people on the periphery as well as those centrally located. In large organizations, those same information systems close the distance between people in many locations, allowing the organization to operate in a centralized fashion.

Decision-support technologies reduce the number of organizational levels because of the availability of data. In their research about consensus, Kunifuji and Kato (2008) indicate that advanced information systems expand the range of communication and decision-making selections from which individuals can choose because input is more widespread. Information systems offer user-convenience and increase the pace and efficiency with which data is transformed into decisions. This allows organizations to be more accurate, comprehensive, and timely in decision-making. It also facilitates higher quality conclusions because the system is faster and more representative.

Davis, Kulick, and Egner (2005) conducted research at RAND analyze decision-making tools and methods. These researchers work to assure that decision-making systems are not accidentally, deliberately, or inherently bias. The goal of the research is to eliminate information systems and information system strategies that present vague or confusing information causing choosers to make completely intuitive decisions or to simply guessing. RAND is working to understand the culture of the decision-making environment. Their studies have resulted in new information systems based on modeling and replication. At RAND, researchers introduce different technologies and techniques into “virtual worlds.” The resulting data is analyzed in order to draw conclusions about visceral and inspired decision-making strategies. These state of the art studies aim to support information systems that encourage impartial, knowledgeable, and dynamic decision-making.

Globalization changed the culture of information systems because it demanded possession of advanced technology and continued acquisition of intellectual property (Ipe & Vinze, 2010). Domestic and international politics use a diverse collection of data and analysis to conduct business. In some cases, highly technical information systems are the main components of the current global political environment. Information systems support multinational systems and world economies. There is international as well as domestic competition for control of data. Government controlled information systems determine the value of the currency used daily by vendors and shoppers. The consequences of not comprehending the magnitude of information systems in politics and government can cause disaster (Huber, n.d.).

Information systems theorists’ emphasize the similarity and diversity of domestic and international politics (Chaudoin, Milner, & Xun, 2012). Mobility no longer equates to moving around it is now a information system that facilitates political policy as it influences domestic politics and shapes relationships between states and nation states. Powerful political forces foster or sabotage the domestic politics of their cronies, while sabotaging the allies of their opponents. This scenario occurs on the international scene as well. Layers of information systems are more suitable for dissecting these political relationships because of the composition of global politics. States and nation states are entrenched in international systems; all survive or perish within that network (Chaudoin et al., 2012).

Nation-states around the world use elite information systems for cybersecurity, defense, and to manage their military. Davis et al. (2005) write from and about how RAND was one of the original information systems research organizations and their mission was to develop systems that would improve military modeling. Governments and military leaders worldwide use information systems to contact, evaluate, and dispatch military personnel. Political leaders use information technology to support and protect critical military intelligence.

In conclusion, information systems are already vital in all aspects of modern life. Information systems facilitate hobbies, entertainment, developing, and maintaining interpersonal relationships. Information systems is vital to international communications and relations especially as it applies to diplomacy, the military, finance, the scientific community, education, and culture. Entities such as corporations, politicians, and media use information systems to increase their connectivity networks and interact with consumers, clients, voters, and other politicians globally. Scholars and others challenge and debate communication information systems, especially in terms of their potential to homogenize world cultures.

Even though power and politics influence the organizational design and data used to construct information systems, so too do information systems developers. Weckert (2009) and Tehranian (2004) are among many scholars who call for ethical and moral considerations, as well as quantitative and technological advancement, in regards to global information communication systems. Ethics applies not only to international communications but also to domestic and inter-personal communication networks. Organizations, from grassroot movements to nation states, rely upon information systems. Majid Tehranian’s dire predictions about the pending implosion of world cultures is a valid concern. However, there is no doubt that global information systems offer previously disenfranchised groups and individuals national and international voices.

References

Davis, P. K., Kulick, J., & Egner, M. (2005). Implications of modern decision science for militarydecision-support systems. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, Project Air Force.

Chaudoin, S., Milner, H.V., & Xun Pang (2012) International Systems and Domestic Politics: Linking Complex Theories with Empirical Models in International Relations. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-organization/article/international-systems-and-domestic-politics-linking-complex-interactions-with-empirical-models-in-international-relations/44F4C102F8DB4B1B82F318503CD52CCC

Huber, G. P. (n.d.). A theory of the effects of advanced formation technologies on organizational design, intelligence, and decision making. Organizations and Communication Technology / Edited by Janet Fulk, Charles Steinfield.

Ipe, M., Raghu, T. S., & Vinze, A. (January 01, 2010). Information intermediaries for emergency preparedness and response: A case study from public health. information systems Frontiers, 12, 1, 67-79.

Kunifuji, Susumu, & Kato, Naotaka. (2008). Consensus-making Support Systems dedicated to creative Problem Solving. (International Journal of Information Technology and Decision Making.) World Scientific Publishing.

Tehranian, M. (September 01, 2004). Civilization: A pathway to peace? Globalizations, 1(1), 82-101.

Tehranian, M. (1999). Global communication and world politics: Domination, development, and discourse. Boulder, Colo: Lynne Rienner Publishers.

Weckert, John; Charles Sturt University, & Lucas, Richard; Australian National University. (2009). The Governance of Information and Communication Technology. (Australasian Journal of Information Systems; Vol 16, No 1 (2009).) Australian Computer Society.