Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The purpose of this research is to conduct a Delphi study to develop a Management Information Systems (MIS) model tailored for decision-making in universities in South-East Nigeria. The study aims to address the specific needs and challenges faced by these institutions in utilizing MIS for effective decision-making processes. The Delphi method, a structured communication technique involving a panel of experts, will be used to gather and synthesize insights on the key components and functionalities required in an MIS model for South-East Nigeria universities. The research will involve selecting a panel of experts consisting of academics, administrators, and IT professionals with experience in the Nigerian higher education sector. These experts will participate in multiple rounds of surveys to achieve consensus on the essential features, data requirements, and usability aspects of the proposed MIS model. The Delphi study will facilitate the systematic exploration of diverse perspectives and expertise to ensure the model's relevance and applicability to the unique context of South-East Nigeria universities. The findings of this research are expected to contribute to the advancement of decision-making processes in universities in South-East Nigeria by providing a comprehensive and tailored MIS model. By integrating the insights and recommendations of a diverse panel of experts, the study aims to develop a practical framework that aligns with the specific needs and priorities of the academic institutions in the region. The resulting MIS model is anticipated to enhance data-driven decision-making, improve resource allocation, and support strategic planning efforts in South-East Nigeria universities. Furthermore, the Delphi study will offer a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among stakeholders in the Nigerian higher education sector. By engaging experts from academia, administration, and IT fields, the research will foster a multidisciplinary approach to designing an MIS model that reflects the interconnected nature of decision-making processes in universities. The collaborative effort is aimed at promoting innovation, efficiency, and transparency in leveraging information systems for organizational management and strategic development in the higher education sector in South-East Nigeria. In conclusion, this research seeks to address the gap in tailored MIS models for decision-making in universities in South-East Nigeria through a rigorous Delphi study involving a panel of experts. The anticipated outcomes include the development of a comprehensive MIS model that enhances decision-making processes, fosters collaboration among stakeholders, and contributes to the advancement of management practices in the higher education sector.

Thesis Overview

The purpose of the study was to model Management Information Systems (MIS) for decision-making by administrators of Universities in South-East, Nigeria. Seven research questions and seven hypotheses guided the study. The design of the study was survey research. The specific design was panel study and the Delphi technique was used to elicit responses from the administrators and the MIS experts in a two- round survey. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Eighty-one items reflecting the components of the MIS Model such as MIS objectives, data collection procedures, data processing and analysis methods, data publication method, data dissemination methods, decision making areas and feedback mechanisms were generated and included in the questionnaire. Three experts from University of Nigeria, Nsukka validated the instrument. The final draft of the instrument had a 4-point scale of Very Appropriate, Appropriate, Inappropriate, and Very Inappropriate. The instrument was pre-tested on 17 respondents from a public university in Kogi State, Nigeria. Internal consistency reliability estimate of the instrument was 0.98 using   Cronbach Alpha technique. The experts’ panel was made up of 30 experts consisting of 10 directors of Management Information Systems/Information Communication Technology, 10 academic staff and 10 administrative staff purposively selected from the 10 prublic universities in South-East Nigeria. During the round one survey, the 81-item questionnaire was administrated to the respondent. Sixty –nine items reached the panelists consensus while 12 items could not reach the consensus based on a mean cut-off point of 3.00 and standard deviation of less than 1.00. In the round two survey, the 69 items were re-administered to the respondents while the 12 items were discarded. Sixty-eight items that reached the panelist consensus in the round two survey were retained for data analysis while the one item on which consensus was not reached was discarded. The mean score was used to answer all the research questions. t-test was used to test the hypotheses. The following were the major results of the study. Twelve MIS objectives were accepted as appropriate for the MIS Model, seven data collection procedures, 10 data processing and analysis methods, seven data publication methods, nine data dissemination methods, 14 decision –making areas and nine feedback mechanisms were identified and included in the MIS Model for decision- making. There were no significant differences between the mean responses of administrators and MIS experts regarding the MIS objectives, data collection procedures, data processing and analysis methods, data dissemination methods, decision- making areas and feedback mechanisms aspects of the model. There were significant differences between the mean responses of administrators and MIS experts regarding data publication methods of the MIS Model. Based on the findings of the study, one major educational implication was that the MIS has a high potential for making relevant information available. It was recommended that universities in South-East, Nigeria should adopt the MIS model to provide relevant information for effective and efficient management of the institutions.