A STUDY OF THE USE OF COMPUTER IN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

1.1 Introduction

Computer has become a very powerful tool in the business world today because of its ability to store, process and disseminate large amount of information accurately, efficiently and effectively for quick decision.

According to Ani (2005a), computer can be defined as an electronic tool capable of accepting data, interpreting data, performing ordered operation on data and reporting on the outcome of this operation. It is therefore a tool managers can use to assist them in the complicated and time consuming task of generating information.

The computer took many centuries to come to the age of four generation, reckoning from time, serious efforts began towards simplifying mathematical computations Quite a few people were involved in the development of the computer and several of the scientists who made those useful contributions did not really aim at developing a computer but their inventions turned out to be an important step towards the development of computer

Based on those contributions and innovations of these scientists and others, the modern computer came to be. IT underwent series of improvement which gave rise to farth computer generation, before we have today, MODERN COMPUTER. However, the introduction of this general purpose device and machine and simple programming languages greatly increased the computer utility especially in management information system (MIS) which basically deals on how information is obtained, retrieved and utilized. Computers are now indispensable tools in any business activities because electronic data processing is growing and meeting the expected need of people's speed, accuracy and efficiency in handling of data and security. IT also extended to other areas such as marketing, accounting, inventory management and production process.

Primarily, the management information system (MIS) is set up of the purpose of providing, planning and controlling information to all levels of management to effect appropriate decision making. Thus, it does this by gathering data, inputting and processing them into information and further dissemination these items of information, we can therefore; say that management information system can be sub-divided into functional information system such as marketing information system, the financial information system and personnel information system and so on depending on the type of organization. The management information system provides managements with varying information depending on the level, thereby making increased in the efficiency of the organization through better management decisions. However, owing to the fact that organizations have grown in sizes, information flow has become so voluminous that face to face communication and even writing memoranda can no longer effect adequate communication or effective processing of data.

The management information system of these organizations have in recent times found it difficult to meet with The increasing demand being made on information as a result, The manual means o operation is Jam-packet with scored of data to be processed. Hence delay and inaccuracies in data collection and analysis. Delay often makes decision making to be inaccurate. Also, there is problem of misappropriation of important document of files or even cases of stolen files.

1.2 Background of Study

First Bank of Nigeria Plc, was founded in 1894 by a shipping magnate form Liverpool, Sir Alfred Jones, the Bank commenced as a small operation in the office of Elder Dempster and Company in Lagos.

The Bank was incorporated as a limited liability company on March 31, 1894, with Head Office in Liverpool. It started business under the corporate name of the Bank for British West African (BBWA) with a paid up capital of 12,000 pounds starting, after absorbing its predecessor, the Africa Banking Corporation, which was established earlier in 1892. This signaled the pre-eminent position which the Bank was to establish in the banking industrial in West Africa.

In the early years of operations, the bank recorded an impressive growth and worked closely with the colonial Government in performing the traditional functions of a Central Bank, such as issue of species in the West Africa sub region.

To justify its West Africa coverage, a branch was opened in Accra, Gold coast (now Aghana) in 1896 and another in Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1898. These marked the genesis of the Bank's international banking operations. The second branch of the Bank in Nigeria was in the old Calabar in 1960 and two years later services were extended to Northern Nigeria.

To satisfy the needs of its customers, first bank has diversified into a wide range of Banking activities and services. They include corporate, Retail and Mortgage Banking, Registrar ship private equity financing, trusteeship and Insurance Brokerage. In addition as part of its strategy of progressive internationalization, in November 2002, the Bank become the first financial institution in Nigeria to establish a subsidiary bank in the United Kingdom.

Over the year, the Bank has experienced phenomenal growth. With a share capital of N53.6 million in 1980, the Banks share capital grew to N1.270 billion as at march 2003.

The Banks total asset base was N320.58 billion while its deposit base stood at N193.955 billion as at March 2003. Also, the Bank's market capitalization stood at N66.05 billion i.e N25.00k per share as at 31st March 2003.

IN 1957, it changed its name from Bank of British West African to Bank of West Africa. In 1969, the Bank was incorporated locally as the standard Bank of Nigeria limited in line with the companies Decree of 1968.

Changes in the name of the Banks also occurred in 1979 and 1991, to first Bank of Nigeria limited and first Bank of Nigeria Plc, respectively.

The Bank has continued to be a leader in financing loan term development of the economy which was demonstrated. In 1947 when the first long term loan was advanced to the then colonial Government. To demonstrate its commitment to its customers and the development of the Nigerian economy, the bank has since broadened its loan and credit port-floes the various sectors of the economy.

The Bank has improved tremendously judging from a number of parameters including number of branches, growth in deposit base, asset size and size of loans and advances.

Furthermore, its track record of profitability and reliability in sound banking has continually placed the Bank in its leadership position.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that many years ago, all business data were processed manually. This was not always a satisfactory method because it was so slow. Most organization in this country have been encountering business information problem because of manual method used. These problems affected their level of performance in terms of output and quality of services.

Furthermore, there are other problems relating to the international structure and functions of the organization which include personnel turnover, loss of records, expensive communication, equipment, record, storage system problem such as collection, processing, storage and retrial and distribution of information which play a vital role in the decision making processes.

The first Bank personnel have in the past been denied of the gadget with modern technology to aid them in enhancing efficient and effective service in discharging their professional carrier.

It is in the light of the awareness that the researcher chose the topic A study of computer in management information system to solve the problem of ineffective information system which bugged organization far many years.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Use of Computer in Management Information System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To ascertain the extent management information system has facilitated information flow in First Bank Plc, Enugu;
2. To determine if there are lapses in the management information system in First Bank PLC, Enugu; and
3. To find out the contributions of management information system towards the achievement of First Bank's goal.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• How far has management informative system facilitated the information flow in First Bank PLC, Enugu?
• What are the lapses in the management information system of First Bank PLC Enugu?
• What are the contributions of management information system towards the achievement of First Bank's goal?

1.6 Significance of Study

The study will be most useful to First Bank Plc, Enugu. It will be also be useful to individual, public sectors, state and federal government establishment that uses computer on management information system. It will also remedy the force found on those already operating the system with some discrepancies.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.7 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Use of Computer in Management Information System in First Bank PLC, Enugu.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:

1. Time Constraint:The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies:Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
4. Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.

1.10 Definition of Terms

Information:

Data that has been processed in a way that is meaningful and beneficial to the users recipients.

Management:

Management is the process by which the manager create, direct, maintain and operate purposeful organization through coordination human effort.

System:

This is the putting together of different parts to make up a whole to achieve a common goals.

Efficiency:

The power or ability to produce the desire or satisfactory result. It could also be classified as output all over input.