Managers do not have the luxury of abdicating participation in information systems decisions.Managers who choose to do so risk limiting their future business options. Information systems are at the heart of virtually every business interaction, process, and decision, especially when one considers the vast penetration of the Web in the last few years. Managers who let someone else make decisions about their information systems are letting someone else make decisions about the very foundation of their business. This is a textbook about managing and using information, written for current and future managers as a way of introducing the broader implications of the impact of information systems.

The goal of this book is to assist managers in becoming knowledgeable participants in information systems decisions. Becoming a knowledgeable participant means learning the basics and feeling comfortable enough to ask questions. It does not mean having all the answers nor having a deep understanding of all the technologies out in the world today. No text will provide managers with everything they need to know to make important information systems decisions. Some texts instruct on the basic technical background of information systems. Others discuss applications and their life cycle. Some take a comprehensive view of the management information systems (MIS) field and offer readers snapshots of current systems along with chapters describing how those technologies are designed, used, and integrated into business life.

Pearlson and Saunders’ Third Edition of Managing and Using Information Systems: A Strategic Approach gives students the insights and knowledge they need to become active participants in information systems decisions. By demonstrating how IT relates to organizational design and business strategy, this title covers the essential concepts of MIS. Within the 4^th edition, students will also learn how to recognize opportunities in the work environment and apply current technologies in innovative ways.  In a concise, updated format, Pearlson and Saunders provide a strategic approach to Information Systems for a senior/graduate level course or as a supplement for any course using additional cases and readings.