Chapter 01 Understanding Hospitality Information Systems and Information Technology 石岳峻 博士

Overview Information Technology (IT) –Hardware and software used to process information for organization. Information System (IS) –Relationship of the IT components used to produce, store, share, and distribute information for use by the people affiliated with an organization.

Theories, Practices and Tools Theories –A theory is an underlying principle or an explanation of something scientific or philosophical. –Theories explain why things happen. Practices –A practice is based on a set of theories. –A practice explains how to do things, based on why things happen.

Theories, Practices and Tools Tools –A tool is something used to perform a practice. –A tool is something we use to do things, whereas the things we do are based on why things happen. Theories drive practices, and practices use tools. Why Things HappenHow Things HappenWhat I Need to Make Things Happen Theory Science/philosophy Practice Management Tools Technology

Systems Theory –focuses on complexity and interdependence of relationships. Close System –An entity consisting of related parts that is not influenced by outside forces. Open System –An entity consisting of related parts that is influenced by outside forces called the external environment. Interdependence –The mutually beneficial relationship among systems and subsystems.

Mechanistic and Organic System Mechanistic System –Mechanistic systems are closed systems with definitive life spans and continuously atrophy into nonexistence. Organic System –Organic Systems have the capacity for infinite life because of their ability to evolve. –Rigidity (die) or Learning (evolve)

Entropy and Negentropy Entropy –Quantity specifying the amount of disorder or randomness in a system bearing energy or information. Negentropy –Negative Entropy –A organic system exports entropy in order to maintain its own entropy at a low level

Chaos Theory –The science that deals with the underlying order of the seemingly random nature of the universe. The butterfly effect –Small variations in the initial conditions of a dynamical system produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system.

The butterfly effect

Linear System A linear system is a model of a system based on some kind of linear operator. Inputs Outputs Transformation Process Systems Linear Management and Technology Process

Linear System Linear Management and Technology Process. Material Resources Human Resources Infotech(IT) Quality Quantity Customer Relationship Inputs Outputs Transformation Process Systems Including IS Efficiency Do Things Right Effectiveness Do The Right Things

Management Information System –MIS –The conversion of data into information for use by the members of an organization to serve its guests or customers.

Evolution of MIS Decision Support System –DSS –An information and planning system that provides the ability to interrogate computers on an ad hoc basis, analyze information and predict the impact of decisions before they are made. Executive Information System (EIS)

Evolution of MIS Knowledge Management System (KMS) –a distributed hypermedia system for managing knowledge in organizations, supporting creation, capture, storage and dissemination of expertise and knowledge. Reflection Knowledge Experience Self-Awareness

Chief Information Officer (CIO) CIO is responsible for –Planning –Analysis –Implementation –Evaluation CIO is supported by –Programmers –Network managers –Technicians –Database administrators

IS Development Two Types of Planning –Proactive planning Enhance the productivity –Reactive planning Solving negative situation Problem identification

Problem Location Input Data or technology error? Transformation Process Processing Error? Output Products or Service error? Where is the current or potential problem? Performance Gap? Problem?

System Investigation Complexity →Uncertainty → Risk What will be the impact of the solution on the organization as a whole? Problem? Inputs People? Materials? Symptom? Transformation Process Systems Where is the real problem?

System Analysis Alternatives Analysis Solution Alternatives Real Problem(s) Symptom Categories Symptoms Obvious Problem Feasibililty Cost/benefit

System Design and Implementation Solution Evaluation and Revision Did it solve the obvious Problem in a feasible Manner? Solution Implementation Solution Design Alternatives Analysis System Maintenance Go on to the Next problem