The Management Information Requirements of Heads of University Departments: A Critical Success Factors Approach

Abstract. This paper examines the problems of developing management information systems in universities, with particu-lar attention to the information needs of Heads of Depart-ments. The context of university work is explored and needs are uncovered using the critical success factors methodology In using CSF it was found that senior managers intuitively understand and accept their use and that the methodology can take account of the unique characteristics of university management. Further advantages of the method are that all information is considered, whether or not it is easy to collect, and the critical success factors point to priorities for develop-ment. The conclusions include suggestions for future research, hypotheses on critical success factors and information needs of Heads of departments and recommendations on informa-tion acquisition, analysis and dissemination