In this course, we discussed and learned about systems and how organizations use systems for collecting/input, storing, processing and the distribution of information. I used to think information systems was only related to the software services a company used.  Now I understand that software is just a portion of information systems.  Information systems are made up of hardware, software, database, network/telecommunications and people.  Information systems cannot operate independently.  For a company to be effective off of the systems are interdependent. Information Management is driven by technology and information Management is driven by people.   Technology cannot operate without people and the people can not complete their job and meet the organization's mission, strategies and goals without the information and technology.   Information systems have become the backbone of organizations.  Regardless of the size of the organizations, systems are a necessity.  Technology systems also involve the Word-Wide Web, Web 2.0 and Ecommerce. 

     

      Another important part of systems is Knowledge Management.  Knowledge Management seeks to obtain information from an employee or team's mindset on how information is learned and used to complete his or her job.  It is taking the knowledge or information one has then "learning and transforming what they know into something that is materialized as symbols and that resembles what they know" (Terra and Angeloni, 2003).  Knowledge addresses what, how, why and who through recognition, capacity to act, understanding and social relationships (Suominen, 2016).  Knowledge Management and Information management have the same goal which is how to increase performance and efficiency with the organization, how to keep the organization competitive, but they come from two different perspectives or objectives. 

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       The role of leaders is to ensure that both of these systems are current or being reviewed and updated and they are responsible for creating an environment that supports and encourages learning both individually and as a team and that both strategies meet the organizational strategies.  Leaders set the example for those who follow them.  A simple and easy example is the process of baking. Most beginner cooks follow a recipe which tells them exactly what to use to making a dish or a cake.  Over time, with practice and experience, the cook begins to make adjustments and adds other ingredients.  They have  add their own twist which actually makes the cake better.  The recipe represents the information system and the cook's personal twist that resulted something even better represents the knowledge management system. The cook used both systems to create a better product.  If a bakery is used to making cakes one way and a new baker is hired and because of his or her experience, adds an ingredient never used before and it makes people want to buy it more, the system they were previously following will be changed to include the more efficient process and the organization will benefit financially because of increased revenue.   The information learned in this class was very helpful to me since I am a small business owner.  It will help me enhance my businesses and help me to run them properly.  

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