Title: Management information systems in pharmaceuticals

Authors: Reza Mohammady Garfamy

Addresses: Faculty of Economics and Management, Semnan University, University Square, Semnan 35131-19111, Iran

Abstract: Any firm in the pharmaceutical industry requires efficient and effective management information systems (MIS) to support managerial functions. Lack of timely access of the management in Iranian pharmaceutical firms to required information due to inefficiency and/or ineffectiveness of current MIS is the problem addressed in this paper. In this study, in addition to describing the current condition of MIS and management practice (MP) of the research environment as an example from pharmaceuticals, the relationship between them is demonstrated and suggestions for improving their condition are provided. The results indicate the efficiency and/or effectiveness of MIS are the outcome of the components of MIS, such as the Communication Mechanism and Archive System, and the components of MP, such as the Organisation and Methods, Performance Evaluation, Records Management and Human Relations. The research findings can be utilised in the areas of MIS design, development and training.

Keywords: information systems management; management information; decision making; pharmaceutical industry; healthcare; Iran; managerial functions; inefficiency; ineffectiveness; management practices; R&D; research and development; communication mechanisms; archive systems; performance evaluation; records management; human relations; organisation and methods; O&M; business planning; control; business information systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2011.040565

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2011 Vol.7 No.4, pp.402 - 418

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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