An Assessment of Computer Education in the Business School: A Jungle Within a Jungle

With the increasing role of computer information systems in the business community, it is imperative that students be properly trained to meet the requirements of a computerized business environment. This article evaluates the role of business schools in preparing students to meet the challenges of the information age. It also addresses how the field of knowledge commonly referred to as Management Information Systems (MIS) interfaces with the Management Theory Jungle (Koontz, 1961). Three models that attempt to clarify how computers and information processing systems are viewed from business, academic, and theoretical perspectives are presented. The article concludes that the lack of enforceable standards in computer business education is the primary factor contributing to the existence of an MIS jungle within the management theory jungle. Recommendations for untangling this jungle are provided for the business and academic communities