Customer Reviews

Information Systems Management in Practice, Sixth Edition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This book provides various sources of information but no analysis by the book's authors. It is a patch work of case studies, excerpts, and paraphrasing of other texts to which I hope the original authors are getting paid royalties for.

Some of the diagrams are simplistic, others are useless. More than half of them are from other sources.

The book seems to formulate points of interest (e.g. traditional, evolving, and present-day IT roles) without providing analysis of why and how this affects future trends in IS management.

I had to write a review after reading nebulous fluff like, "Being a manufacturer, LifeScan has instituted quality processes." (which successful company doesn't) or "Way back in 1964,..." (not just back, but WAY back). When you do read something of slight interest it is almost always followed by something like, "so says Mr. so-and-so, in this-paper-that-he-wrote." (e.g. pp. 126-127 whenever "Rayport and Sviokla" is mentioned - 4 times in about 1 page of text and in every paragraph - the authors are paraphrasing a point Rayport and Sviokla made)

I'm truly amazed this book is this bad after five revisions. The authors seem to have the right information, but they really need to provide their own insights and analysis. And also have my high school english teacher review it to cut the fluff out.

After reading the previous reviews of this course text for my Ph.D., I was very concerned about HAVING to spend this kind of money for a "know-nothing" text. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The level of depth of this text is very good and I found the authors, while not necessarily that original, did an excellent job of creating relationship bridges between their various topics included in the book. Their level of coverage of specific topics in the case studies waxed and waned but for the most part added very well to the intent of the text.

This is an excellent text for people stepping up to management levels within Information Systems or just beginning to get their feet wet in IS Strategic Planning. It even offers some insights that experienced IS Managers might not have reached in the past.

Overall, a very good general treatment and introduction to the field.

This text is little more than definitions, dated interviews with IS/IT execs and simple guidelines. If looking for relevant IT/IS information - pass!

Very general information for the hefty price. Reading a few inexpensive computer magazines on this topic would be more helpful than this expensive book.

I read this book as part of my first course in a Ph.D.-MIS program. I thought it was a great overview and history of MIS, and provided insight into alternative IS management styles and strategies. The case studies were relevent, current, well written and interesting. I recommend this book for all network and systems administrators. It gives insight into what thought processes should be occurring at the CIO and IS manager levels.

The title of this book is deceptive. The content is very general not at all practical. Although it mentions companies using the technology, it does not give the reader a concrete understanding of technology or MIS. It mentions topics but leaves out the "how to" (use it, implement it) or the "why."

I used this book for a graduate course during the summer semester. Overall, I enjoyed the broad-based approach adopted by the authors. The numerous case studies were extremely useful also, as they adequately illustrated what the authors were trying to say.
My only beef with the book is its price. I don't think it's fair to charge so much for the book. But for the cut-throat price, this book deserves five stars.

I bought this book for my MSc in Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems and I consider that it was extremely helpful. The chapter about the perspectives of IS and the role of the CIO are very interesting. In the chapter about Information Systems Planning, they included lots of concepts related to strategy, linking IS Planning with six different approaches/techniques: Stages of Growth, Critical Success Factors, Competitive Forces Model, Value Chain Analysis, Internet Value Matrix and Linkage Analysis Planning. The chapters about managing systems development are really instructive also. I strongly recommend the book for those IT practitioners whom are seeking a managerial position. It is very useful to managers and strategists as well.

A very informative book with lots of case studies and other important information. Covers a lot of the modern concepts including cost-benefit justifications and e-commerce.

All in all, a very good book

I found this book covering a very broad range of topics in IS and IT subjects. A good book for a beginer (suggestion: rename to "IS Management For Dummies"). A terrible book for experienced users searching for specifics. I found the discussion of IS management practices painfully boring and over simplified with too many definitions. It needs to cut to the chase. There are far better selections in this price range.