Free «Connection between First-Line Managers and Information Systems» Essay Sample

First-line managers are the employees at the bottom level where no other employee performs management functions. These professionals normally perform supervisory functions and take positions such as head of section or foreman. They are often accountable to higher level management and perform such duties as checking quality, gauging performance of operations, monitoring processes, and supervising people. They help realize the achievement of organizational strategies by ensuring that employees’ efforts are directed towards the right aims. Thus, they relate to information systems in many ways. An information system (IS) is a type of technology that enables effective and efficient execution of tasks and decision making. First-line managers and information systems relate to each other because information systems help first-line managers improve processes, communicate effectively, hire talented employees, access valuable information, and secure it while first-line managers help develop, implement, and maintain information systems.

Why First-Line Managers and Information System Are Connected

First-line managers and information systems help execute day to day operations of organizations including budgeting, managing operations, scheduling work, and ensuring the quality of products and services. They help manage the work of employees at the lowest level. At the same time, the current world of globalization and information technology has enabled businesses to strive to gain competitive advantage not only at the local but also at the international level (Berisha-Shaqiri, 2015). Managers and information systems help organizations develop innovative products and services that help them remain competitive. Failure to catch up with the rapid technological development renders businesses obsolete or unprofitable since IT helps organizations offer efficient, effective, and low cost goods and services to clients. Information systems enable first-line mangers to reach a high number of people, communicate to them from long distances within a very short time, and improve quality. Thus, this type of technology is essential for first-line managers and vice versa. They need each other to ensure organizations remain capable to compete, save costs, and made effective decisions faster (Al-Mamary, Shamsuddin, & Abdul Hamid, 2013). By and large, the main reason why first-line managers and information systems have a connection is to stay on top of competition through providing high quality products and services in a timely manner. 

How First-Line Managers and Information System Are Connected

First-line managers and information systems have a connection because they enable effective decision making. In the current technological world, globalization has made competition very dire, so the work of first-line managers is dynamic, complex, and inclusive. Line managers have to ensure they manage workers effectively to respond to the clients’ rapidly changing requirements, which requires fast and informed decision making. In order to make prompt decisions, first-line managers utilize information systems, analyze the past and present conditions, and focus on the future, becoming able to make the best decisions possible (Al-Mamary, Shamsuddin, & Abdul Hamid, 2013). Additionally, first-line managers can use information systems to store and retrieve data, saving the time they would have to spend of processing the information manually. Data mining and analytics help first-line managers predict the future and implement the systems that will enable employees to obtain skills and knowledge necessary to develop products and services that meet the future needs of clients. Therefore, the managers can effectively use information systems to realize performance objectives set byhigher line managers.

The second connection between first-line managers and information systems is the two-way support present during the software development and implementation stage. First-line managers usually help organizations through planning, controlling, leading, and organizing activities in their areas of work. Planning often involves determining how to realize organizational strategies at the lowest levels. Organizing involves putting adequate resources in place to ensure that plans will be executed. During the execution of duties and in light of the current technological advancements, first-line managers help in information systems development by providing engineers with information regarding the requirements of workers. Additionally, they help programmers create systems that improve processes and help serve clients better (Sadiq, Khan, Ikhlaq, & Mujtaba, 2012). In return, the developed systems help first-line managers with information that enable them to effectively and timely realize organizational strategies, thus improving the profitability of organizations.

The third connection between first-line managers and information systems is that both profit from the information they provide. A first level management professional needs a lot of information to perform their job effectively, which can only be achieved through the use of information systems. Other information systems such as SAP can provide first-line managers with information regarding economy. They can utilize SAP to get information regarding budget and monitor the time employees spend on their work. At the same time, first-line managers enter data into the information systems since it cannot work without input (Sadiq et al., 2012). The systems analyzes or uses the info to provide output in a manner that is easy to comprehend, thus enabling effective decision making. 

Furthermore, first-line managers and information systems relate because IS ensures effective and timely communication between first-line managers and organizational stakeholders. First-line managers need to communicate with employees and management on the subject of their work; they can utilize information systems to do so more efficiently (Madadipouya, 2015). For instance, when management professionals need to communicate the requirements of new design to workers in the manufacturing section, they can use computer-aided design and manufacturing applications to showcase the intended designs in two or three dimensions. Moreover, the management uses various types of IS, such as email and social media, to communicate with clients regarding the issues related to their areas of operation. As a result of communication supported by information systems, employees working under first-line managers are able to perform their duties more effectively (Madadipouya, 2015). Additionally, effective communication enables the provision of high quality customer care and enhances teamwork. Long distance collaborations are also made possible through the utilization of IS, because they enhance virtual interactions and meetings. Therefore, first-line managers can save time and costs of travel while working on projects that involve team members from different parts of the globe.

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Co-training and training of new hires is another area where first-line managers and information system connect. IS is an effective tool for training and developing employees, thereby improving their skills and knowledge. Front-line managers can spearhead the development of efficient training and development programs for their employees. Furthermore, information systems can provide or facilitate training of first-line managers themselves, because they ensure effective organization of every training obligation (Karikari, Boateng, & Ocansey, 2015). Management professional often utilize modules of training management systems to develop calendars that enable the provision of training that suits all the requirements of employees. Additionally, the systems enable first-line mangers to access the training progress to adjust methodologies and improve the education processes.

Effective training goes hand in hand with recruitment, selection, and talent management. In this regard, first-line managers relate to information systems during these stages of organizational activity. Information systems help managers reach a wide audience when advertising vacancies; therefore, they are able to get highly qualified persons who can help realize the strategies of the organization. At the same time, human resource information systems enable first-line managers to convert information provided by the applicants during the recruitment process into employee files, thus lowering the time of employee adjustment. The management utilizes the information systems analytics feature to identify the qualification of employees or applicants (Karikari, Boateng, & Ocansey, 2015). In addition, the use of analytics in the recruitment process leads to improved rates of employee retention, productivity of organizations, and overall organizational efficiently. On the other hand, as human resource professionals, first-line managers connect to information systems because they help recruit IT experts who develop information systems and maintain them. They are in a position to hire IS analysts, system administrators, computer networks analysts, software developers, database administrators, etc., who can deal with all facets of information systems.

Lastly, first-line managers have a connection with information systems because of security reasons. The current world has many cybercriminals and cyber-terrorists who strive to compromise systems. When they do so, they can steal, block, or alter information, which is detrimental to businesses when the information is leaked to competitors (Berisha-Shaqiri, 2015). First-line mangers should use secure information systems to protect organizational information from security breaches. Network security professionals can identify security requirements of network systems and develop measures that will ensure the information in transit or stored is secure. Safe information systems help preserve the integrity and confidentiality of organizations’ stakeholders, which enhances confidence of clients.

Conclusion

First-line managers and information systems have a connection because information systems enable effective and efficient management operations, while the professionals in the field contribute to systems development, implementation, and maintenance. The two relate because they help one another perform their duties well. Moreover, the current competitive business world and rapid technological development brought about by globalization are among the primary reasons why first-line managers and information systems have a direct connection. After all, without utilizing information systems, businesses and organizations are at risk of collapse.