The behavioral side of MIS Some aspects of the "people problem"

Abstract To enjoy the technical benefits of management information systems, it is often necessary to solve the dysfunctional side effects stemming from behavioral problems—in short, people problems. Reactions to the installation of MIS may range from failure to use the output to outright sabotage. The authors identify three types of dysfunctional behavior—aggression, projection, and avoidance—that may appear in four groups—operating personnel, operating management, technical staff, and top management. Only the technical staff—being designers and agents of change—shows no dysfunctional behavior. Operating management, the group that should enjoy most of the system benefits, goes farther than any other group in its resistance, and exhibits all three forms. The authors suggest ways of minimizing the behavioral problems that may follow introduction of MIS.