The Blackwell Encyclopedic Dictionary of Management Information Systems provides clear, concise, up to the minute and highly informative definitions and explanations covering the whole of the fast changing field of management information systems. Bringing together specially commissioned and rigorously edited entries from an international team of the world's best known and respected MIS scholars and teachers, this will become the standard reference for students, researchers, academics and practitioners. The Dictionary has been designed to give both the expert and the newcomer overviews and succinct presentations of the most important issues in the use of technology in business and the relevant technology itself. With entries ranging from extended explorations of major topics to short definitions of key terms, this major reference work gives the user: Authoritative and comprehensive coverage of the whole field explaining clearly the technical, managerial, design and development issues in the use of management information systems in the organization. A fully indexed and cross–referenced resource for detailed research with relevant citations to enable further study. Definitive entries covering the terminology, systems, processes and technology in MIS. A completely international perspective and author base. This dictionary is part of the Blackwell Encyclopedia of Management which contains ten further volumes covering each of the key areas of management science developed under the editorship of Professor Cary Cooper from the Manchester School of Management and Professor Chris Argyris of Harvard Business School.