Why should you study a Master in Business Information Systems?
8 August 2022
Corporations are constantly looking to gain a competitive advantage, and information is key when it comes to making smart business choices and streamlining corporate workflows.
Business information systems are currently the premier method of sorting and processing data, and for good reason. The technology has already been implemented into many aspects of corporate life, such as using big data to analyse the latest trends in consumer behaviour.
Gaining an understanding of how business information technology works will prove highly beneficial for fresh graduates and veteran professionals alike.
How do business information systems work?
As its name implies, business information systems have a step-by-step flow of inter-related procedures that utilises IT infrastructure (hardware, software, etc) in a corporate setting. The three main procedures when running an information system are data collection (input), data processing, and producing information that is valuable and easy to understand (output).
There are many applications of business information technology that professionals can dive into.
Among them is operational management systems, which exist as a way to streamline day-to-day business operations such as payrolls and employee tracking in a way that makes them more reliable and efficient. Examples include:
- Transaction processing system
- Office automation system
Tactical management systems focus on aiding managers in making informed short-term business decisions in terms of policy-making, resource planning, and customer relations. This usually involves the following:
- Customer relationship system
- Business intelligence systems
Strategic management systems enable entrepreneurs to easily extrapolate information from large datasets when making key decisions regarding the direction of an organisation. The systems that fall into this category are:
- Decision-support system
- Executive support system
A degree for all backgrounds
Monash’s Master of Business Information Systems is a strong follow-up for undergraduates in both the business and commerce stream or information technology. Your time at Monash will provide you with a holistic understanding of best practices within business information systems in both a theoretical and practical sense.
However, if you do not have a previous background in IT, the course offers several units to give you the knowledge needed to study the course.
By the end of your first semester, you’ll be equipped with strong fundamentals in business information system basics, entry-level software programming and familiarity with database technology.
In-depth education
During your second and third semester, there are several core units such as Enterprise systems, Data in Society and IT research methods that expand on the role of enterprise IT under a broader corporate context.
A deeper understanding of information systems will enable you to approach business problems with thoughtful IT solutions, as well as critically assess and improve overall effectiveness in the long term.
At Monash, you will have up to four choices in electives for you to explore the various areas of enterprise IT.
For example, students who are interested in working with operational management systems can opt into units such as Operational informatics and Recordkeeping informatics. These subjects provide you with valuable insight into how technology can assist with a company’s informational practices and how to find the right system design that best fits the situation.
Alternatively, those who desire more involvement in tactical and strategic corporate decision making will likewise benefit from units such as IT for management decision making and Business intelligence modelling which takes you through the ins-and-outs of building and evaluating an effective decision model.
Practical experiences
Finally, your last semester comes with two options: a minor thesis research and an industry experience as a professional.
A minor thesis research is a strong option for students who are looking to enter the field as an academic. You will develop project proposals, critically review relevant literature, and evaluate and select appropriate research methods.
You can also choose to partake in the industry experience studio project capstone unit, which provides you with the opportunity to work alongside peers in a practical setting.
For more information on the course structure, click here.
Diverse career choices
Malaysia’s IT industry continues to boom with the popularity of e-commerce platforms such as Shopee and Lazada, as well as the plethora of mobile apps that either provide information, entertain or bring added convenience to the user.
In addition, more and more businesses will look to implement new information technologies in the coming years, whether to aid in production workflow or service quality for the customer.
Our Master program will allow you to find work in these up-and-coming industries as a business analyst, systems analyst, IT manager, information management specialist, and more. Here is a more comprehensive list of potential career paths.
Click here to begin your postgraduate journey and learn more about Monash’s courses.