Information Systems in Management Science—Is Information Systems Talking to Itself?

The title for this Column was suggested by a continuing discussion at TIMS meetings, “Is TIMS talking to itself?” Both questions are part of the broader question of “Is staff talking to itself?”, whether that staff is in the area of management science, information services, economics, planning, or what have you. The fact is that top managers are bombarded with ideas about the latest fad. They are told that if they do not have a management information system, or a management sciences group, or econometrics input, or a five-year plan, that they are just not going to be able to compete. The business schools are probably the worst offenders, but the Wall St. Journal, Fortune, and the New York Times all help out, and these topics become grist for the luncheon circuit mill. It is no wonder that under this pressure, the top managers cave in and do the vogue thing. Then a group springs forth within the company, and begins to try to find a role within the company where none existed before. There are two roles that such groups can play in any organization, a line role or a consulting role.