Implementation of Computer-Based Management Information System (Mis) in Manufacturing Organization, in Nigeria

Abstract

This study sought to examine the implementation of computer-based management information system (MIS) in manufacturing organizations in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study sought were to: (i) assess the extent to which the implementation of computer-based management information system in Nigerian’s manufacturing organizations is significant, (ii) determine whether management capacity and resistance to change are significant to the implementation of computer-based management information system in manufacturing organizations, (iii) ascertain whether the implementation of computer-based management information system positively and significantly impacts on better product designs, wider customer-base, redundancy reduction, cost minimization and profit maximization, (iv) determine if regular system development and updating, management’s commitment and staff training do positively and significantly improve computer-based management information system in Nigerian’s manufacturing organizations, (v) ascertain the impact of computer-based management information system on managerial decision making, and (vi) ascertain if there is a significant positive relationship between computer-based management information system and organizational survival. Survey research design was adopted in the study. The population of the study was 840 senior staff from the departments of Finance, Administration and Information Technology in the 145 Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) organisations in South East Nigeria. The sample size of 290 was determined based on the Heads of the Finance/Administration and IT departments in the 145 manufacturing organisations. Purposive sampling technique was used in the study. Data was collected using the questionnaire research instrument and oral interview guide. A pilot study was conducted using split-half method and tested with Cronbach’s Alpha, giving a coefficient of 0.83. This showed the instrument to be very reliable. The instrument was given to the researcher’s validator and management consultant for face and content validation. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used, that is Z-tes, and Linear Regression were used for data analysis, at 5% probability level of acceptance (i.e. p < 0.05). The extent computer-based management information system being implemented in Nigerian manufacturing organisations was significant (p < 0.05, Z = 6.03). Lack of adequate management capacity to support and sustain the implementation of computer-based MIS and resistance to the implementation of newer/improved systems were significant challenges faced in the implementation of computer-based MIS in Nigerian manufacturing organisations (p < 0.05, Z = 5.48). The implementation of computer-based management information system positively and significantly impacted on better product designs and wider customer-base, and redundancy reduction, cost minimization and profit maximization (p < 0.05, r = 0.96). Regular system development and updating, management’s commitment and staff training and retraining on newer technologies positively and significantly improved computer-based MIS in manufacturing organisations (p < 0.05, r = 0.95). Computer-based MIS had significant impact on managerial decision making (p < 0.05, r = 0.98). There was a significant positive relationship between computer-based MIS and organizational survival (p < 0.05, r = 0.95). The study recommended that managements of manufacturing organisations should have a policy document that details the computer-based MIS framework for the organisation, and training and retraining should be periodically conducted for staff, especially when newer and more advanced systems are being introduced and implemented in the organisations.