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Abstract

This study presents the results of investigating the ‘state of the art’ with respect to the audit of MIS; the value attached to present tools available for use in the evaluation of MIS reports and MIS efficiency and effectiveness; the benefits of these audits as perceived by auditors and auditees; and lastly attempts to develop a new approach (tool) for use by internal auditors in the evaluation of MIS reports. Data for analysis were collected through four postal questionnaires on samples of internal auditors, managers, and MIS managers and used together with companies’ published financial and non-financial data.

Statistical analysis of the data revealed that the audit of MIS is performed in a majority of the companies surveyed; that internal auditors take a management perspective in carrying out these audits; that auditees (managers and MIS managers) and internal auditors perceive benefits arising out of these audits (e.g. better decision making, more confidence in the data generated by MIS, and improvements in MIS); that auditees hold a positive attitude towards auditors and appreciate the work they perform in this context, and finally that there exists a lack of suitable, practical, and comprehensive tools or approaches for use in evaluating MIS.

Development of a new approach, to be used by internal auditors in the evaluation of MIS reports, proceeded by subjecting the data collected for this purpose to factor analysis and reliability tests, in order to test validity and reliability and thus to enhance the generalisability of this approach. The new approach developed, tested, and recommended for use comprises: (i) measures of information value, which include managers’ estimates and perceptions of the monetary and non-monetary value of the reports, (ii) measures of information attributes, and (iii) measures of maximum information value (custom-tailored reports). The Semantic Differential technique was used to build scales for eliciting managers’ perceptions of the value (non-monetary) and the different attributes of MIS reports. They are: quantity of the data; reliability or accuracy of the data; timeliness; format - logical presentation of data; and format - physical construction of the report.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > Z665 Library Science. Information Science Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > ZA Information resources Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > ZA Information resources > ZA4450 Databases
Departments:	Bayes Business School > Bayes Business School Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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