Citation

Cohen SH, Noah JC, Pauley A. Eval. Program Plann. 1979; 2(1): 49-57.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0149-7189(79)90046-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The functional aspects of management information systems (MIS's) in human-service delivery agencies are critically examined from the viewpoint of a behavioral systems analysis model. This model distinguishes between MIS as an information-gatherer and as a system to control agency behavior and administrative decision-making. The choice of a particular MIS involves the consideration of the agency 's informational objectives, the extent to which the MIS exerts control over the decision-making process, and its cost-effectiveness. The behavior-analytic approach to MIS requires an evaluation of the way in which the system affects the behavior of agency personnel and, ultimately the clients.