Use of Management Information System in Agricultural Extension Programmes of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the Use of Management Information System for Enhanced Activities in Agricultural Extension Programmes of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. To achieve the objectives of the study,
the study formulated six research questions. A qualitative research methodology using the case study approach was adopted. An Interview guide, focus groups and observations were the instruments used to collect data.
The target population of the study comprised of the Management and MIS staff of the Agricultural Extension programmes in National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI).
The responses from the sampled staff of the Agricultural Extension Programmes were collated, analyzed and interpreted descriptively, using tables.
The finding showed that the Agricultural Extension Programmes in the Institutes surveyed, made use of one MIS facility or the other. The most available and used MIS facilities were the computer, scanner, printer, digital camera, generator and multimedia projector.
All the facilities available and used by the MIS/IT staff had so little to do with decision making but more of statistics generation from various field researches.
The sources of information for the MIS staff were more of external than internal sources. There was no information passed from the Agricultural Extension programs to MIS, which is a crucial internal source of information.
The channels of information to managers were the E-mail, phones, prints and paper files. There existed no intranet, extranet, interactive website or a specific discussion forum for the Extension program heads.
INTRODUCTION
Every society and organization requires adequate information to survive in the 21st century. Information has a great impact on decision making, and hence its value is closely tied to the decisions that result from its use.
Information does not have an absolute universal value. Its value is related to those who use it, when it is used, and in what situation it is used (Ramesh, 1990). Information is a basic and important resource needed to develop other resources in any thriving organization.
Changing circumstances and environments have necessitated the need for access to information for effective decision making at various levels of management in the organization. Information can be considered as an abstract concept, usually in the form of reports.
Essentially, information has become a critical resource which is vital to the wellbeing of individuals and organizations in the modern world.
The development and use of Management Information Systems (MIS) is a modern phenomenon concerned with the use of appropriate information that will lead to better decision making, hence better results.
A manager’s effectiveness is largely dependent on the existence and use of an effective assistance such as a management information system. Management information systems could be described as a system or process that provides the information necessary to manage an organization effectively.
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StudentsandScholarship Team.
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