DOES INFORMATION SYSTEMS SUFFER AN IDENTITY CRISIS? A CASE STUDY OF CONFUSION AND MISINFORMATION

2012 Issues in Information Systems  
More than a thousand colleges and universities have information systems (IS) programs. Many of these programs are housed within departments that also contain Computer Science programs. However, for many reasons, Information Systems still seems to have an identity problem in its constant comparison with Computer Science. Furthermore, there is confusion with MIS and IT-to the extent that these names are used interchangeably. This paper discusses how IS programs seem to be regarded as Computer
more » ... nce programs instead of being recognized as a stand-alone discipline. As a result, IS programs have become less recognized and acknowledged even within the same academic department and has been reduced to the extent that Information Systems struggles to gain legitimacy as a standalone discipline-in a time period where demand for graduates with IS skillsets supersede supply. The proposed research seeks to provide understanding of why Information Systems continues to be a misunderstood discipline. A case study will be introduced to provide context for the complexity of issues associated with distinction between CS, CIS (IS), and MIS.
doi:10.48009/2_iis_2012_328-335 fatcat:poixqr2uondk3efcoelyvwmyei