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Information is subjective because one persons information is another persons data. Departments produce daily activity information which is the companys data. The companys data contains financial statement information which becomes an investors data. Q6 Why is the difference between information technology and information systems important? Information technology refers to the products, methods, inventions, and standards that are used for the purpose of producing information this pertains to the hardware, software, and data components of the five component model. Information system is an assembly of hardware, software, data, procedures, and people that produces information. You can buy IT by buying or leasing hardware, license programs and databases, and you can obtain predesigned procedures. But it is your people who execute those procedures to employ that new IT. You will train your employees to use the new IT, get them past the fear of change, and manage them as they use the new system you cannot buy this like you can a new computer.
Communication is important to student collaborations. If you are going to create work products, then encourage the team members to criticize those products, and then make revisions in accordance with the constructive criticism received from your peers. You also need to criticize their work as well. This will help to everyone to improve the product by communicating these critical comments constructively. Synchronous communication occurs when all team members meet at the same time, such as conference calls or face-to-face meetings. Asynchronous communication occurs when team members do not meet at the same time because employees work different shifts, or work in different locations or time zones. Two collaborations tools that can be used to help set up synchronous meetings are WebEx which is a commercial webinar application used in virtual presentations, and SharedView which is a Microsoft product for sharing a computer screen that you can download for free. Q4 How can you use collaboration systems to manage content? Two ways that content is shared with no control are email attachments and to place the content on a shared file server. The problems with email are that there is always the possibility that the email was not received, it isnt noticed in the inbox, or the attachments arent saved. The problems with a shared file server are that its possible for other team members to interfere with one anothers work, an no one will know who made the changes to a document or when. When a user contributes a wiki entry, the system tracks who created the entry and the date of creation. As others modify the entry, the wiki software tracks the identity of the modifier, the date, and other data, and you have to give users permission to delete wiki entries. With Google Docs & Spreadsheets anyone who edits a document must have a Google account. In the background, Google will merge the users activities into a single document. You are notified that another user is editing a document at the same time as you are, and you can refresh the document to see their latest changes. Google tracks document revisions with brief summaries of changes made. With Groove, a user creates a workspace, then invites others to join by sending them an email. When a user changes a document, Groove automatically propagates that change to workspaces on other users computers. If two people are trying to make changes to the same document at the same time, then Groove will not allow one of the users to make changes until the other is finished. Version management systems improve the tracking of shared content and potentially eliminate problems caused by same-time document access. Version control systems gives each team member an account with a set of permissions, therefore limiting the actions that can be taken by any particular user. Q5 How can you use collaboration systems to control workflow? Content management keeps track of who makes changes to documents and when those changes are made, and facilitates communications among the team. Workflow control assists with the review process. For instance Sharepoint will manage the workflow once its defined, and send emails to the people who need to review the documents. Once they have completed their review, Sharepoint will send an email to the next person asking them to review the document, etc. until all of the reviewers have completed the task. Sequential workflow is where the review is done by one person, then the next, and so on in a sequence. For instance, you have a document that needs to be sent out to your staff, but first must be signed off on by all upper management. You first send it to your supervisor, then once they have reviewed, and possibly made some revisions, then you send it to your manager. They sign off, and it then would go to your director, then possibly to the vice-present of the company. There is a sequence of events that the workflow must follow the chain of command.
Managing workflow manually can become cumbersome. You will email your document to the person who needs to complete the first review. You have to keep track of the amount of time they are taking to do the review, send follow-up emails in case they missed the first email, making sure they respond timely, and it can be very complicated making it an administrative nightmare.
The materials ordering process transforms cash into a raw materials inventory (input and output resources). The manufacturing process (flow) transforms raw materials into finished goods (activity). The sales process transforms finished goods into cash (facilities). Q7 How do information systems provide competitive advantages? Organizations gain a competitive advantage by 1)creating a new product or service, 2)enhancing products or services (making them better), and 3)differentiating products or services. 4)Lock in customers and buyers (making it difficult or expensive for customers or buyers to switch to another product); 5)Lock in suppliers (making your organization easy to connect and work with); 6)Raise barriers to market entry (make it difficult and expensive for new competition to enter the market); 7)Establish alliances (establish standards, promote product awareness, among other benefits); 8)Reduce costs (usually can translate into lower prices, or increases profitability). Our college bookstore is using most of the principles of competitive advantage. Since Barnes and Noble owns the bookstore, they are now offering textbooks for the Nook, and also by offering to rent out textbooks as opposed to selling them. They have enhanced their services over the years by offering more for the buyback of books that will be used the next semester. Im not sure how they differentiate their products since they are the only bookstore at the college, however its sometimes easier to go to them rather than finding used copies of books elsewhere such as online. The process implementations are harder to consider since I do not work there, and being one of the people who have paid the ridiculous prices for textbooks. They have a lock on customers and buyers because they are the only bookstore offered to our school. They lock in suppliers because textbooks probably arent distributed by that many different suppliers, although I could be wrong about this. Raising barriers to market entry text books are too expensive already, and apparently to make a profit you have to charge those prices. Reduce costs hire students to work, use textbooks for longer periods of time so that used book sales go up. I think I answered this part as part of the first subpart. Im not really sure what they mean by application of each of the eight principles, unless it is as I answered above.
computer or something technological that requires that language, can you provide instructions to your product in that customers language. Q3 How does the Global Economy change competitive strategy? The size and complexity of the global economy means that any organization that chooses a strategy to compete industry-wide is taking on a very big, demanding, and expensive challenge. A company will need to be able to compete in other countries that have those types of products locally will not have the cost involved that you will. The size of the world economy and the Internet has enabled unprecedented product differentiation. The Internet allows customers looking for your product to find you and you able to find them. Q4 How does the Global Economy change value chains and business processes? Every primary activity for this airplane has an international component. Companies all over the world produce its parts and subassemblies. Major components of the airplane are constructed in worldwide locations and shipped for final assembly to Boeings plan in Everett, Washington. Boeings Outbound Logistics doesnt just deliver the airplane, but also the delivery of spare parts and supporting maintenance equipment. All of those items are produced worldwide and delivered to customers worldwide. Q5 How does the Global Economy change information systems? Computer hardware is sold worldwide, and most vendors provide documentation in at least the major languages. Most computer software is English based, but not all. An information system may require a localized programming language. In the data component, decisions need to be made what language or languages the information needs to be in, especially if you produce parts worldwide. Procedures and people are also affected by language and culture, therefore information systems procedures need to reflect local cultural vales and norms.
Guides
Chapter 2 Egocentric Versus Empathetic Thinking 1) Egocentric thinking is where the person thinks they are always right. Their ideas are the only valid ones, and every one doesnt know what they are doing. Empathetic thinkers think of the whole picture and consider each idea individually based on the merits of the idea. They are more broadminded. 2) You should go the meetings organizer, and apologize for missing the meeting and ask if you can get a copy of the meeting minutes. You could also ask what you missed, but you should never ask if you missed anything important. If it wasnt important, there wouldnt have been a meeting in the first place. 6) Empathetic thinking in business is smart because you are making the effort to understand the needs of those you are doing business with. You look at the issue from both sides to try to minimize any problems that come up. Chapter 3 Yikes! Bikes 1) While I dont think their actions are illegal, I do think that they are immoral. Getting rid of staff based on the amount of their salary and how much time they take taking care of the customers needs is not good business. These people bring lots of experience with them.
2) Unethical, probably not, although it was definitely untruthful. If you tell your employees what your plans are right away, you will create a panic among the staff and might set yourself up for some sort of sabotage. People get angry or think that they are being treated unfairly, and they may retaliate, although thats not right either. Also, while she feels the direction of the company will be the one she stated, plans could change, and she may have just lost the complete trust of her knowledgeable staff. 3) Unless the founder put stipulations in the acquisition contract for his employees to guarantee their jobs, there is nothing he can do. Even then, I have never heard of this happening. Parks will probably tell him that she will take this information under advisement and take his concerns to Major Capital, but that since he has not retained a position in the company, it is no longer his concern. There is nothing illegal in this position, but again, more immoral than unethical.
Case Studies
Case Study 1 Requirements Creep at the IRS 1) The Oversight Board placed leadership on the business units because they are the ones that use the system, and they use them for different things. Each unit has different tasks, different requirements, and therefore different ways of utilizing the system. ITS cannot know all of the aspects of how individual units conduct their part of the business. In my experience, ITS can load software, and work out system bugs, but do not have experience when it comes to the utilization of that software or systems. They do not do that type of work, so they would have no clue of the needs of those units. 2) The BSM team did not work for the IRS every day, so they had no knowledge of what the scope should be for each unit. As I said above, different units have different business needs, and requirements vary. This would apply to ITS and Computer Sciences Corporation as well. Only those people who work on the system every day, would know how the system should be designed to fit their needs. 3) You can create the environment of trust, confidence, and teamwork by holding each business unit accountable for the system, and the scope that they need the system to be designed. People are uncomfortable with change, but most of the time, these days, these system upgrades and overhauls make a persons job easier in the long run. Sometimes people are afraid that new technology will cost them their job. Even if the new technology will allow for a reduction in staff, a lot of big businesses will cut jobs through attrition. They will not replace the staff that retires or quit. If the company hired to update the information system does not work with the staff to get input on what expectations they have, or their needs for the system, then everyone is frustrated because the system doesnt work. 4) I think I answered this in question 3. 5) Just because a system currently works doesnt mean it works well. For the IRS, a new system will get the tax returns completed faster, assist the various units in getting their tasks completed more timely, and therefore possibly taking on more tasks which will help when the IRS decides not to replace people, or make additions to staff, therefore saving money. Working on an outdated system does not make a persons job better or more secure. Especially with the IRS where the number of tax returns received grows every year. On an outdated system the job would take longer, not the same amount of time. In todays business world, businesses expect their employees to take on more tasks for the same money. Sometimes its frustrating for the employees, but eventually it all evens out in the end. Case Study 3 Bosu Balance Trainer 1) The types of competitive advantage Bosu has used to defeat copycat products are: They created a new product; Enhanced their product; Differentiated their product; Locked in customers and buyers; Raised the barriers to market entry; Established alliances.
2) They locked in customers and buyers using an information system, a database with trainer information. They used this database to help their marketing strategies. They also worked hard to make sure the trainers succeeded with the Bosu, which established alliances. 3) FitnessQuest could set up a forum online for customers to rate their product. They could also keep a customer database where they can email newsletters, new workouts associated with their product, and new product information. 4) FitnessQuest won the competition because they worked with the people who actually used the product. The advertising that the trainers gave their product was invaluable. The trainers gave exact and practical reasons as to why the Bosu was the better product than to the cheaper imitation. The trainer database FitnessQuest created is a great tool to keep their company and products in the forefront of the trainers minds. 5) Reviews of the product by the trainers; product support for the trainers; the same for customers who have purchased the product; have trainers post videos of some of their classes utilizing the products along with what the students think of the workout and the product. 6) The Bosu product is a smaller device, and fewer parts, therefore less expensive to manufacture. The Bosu product is also less expensive to purchase by the consumer. The IndoRow product is a machine that will cost a bit more to manufacture, and takes up more space in the gym, and home. The use of the IndoRow product in the gym in a competitive class setting will make it more appealing than other rowing machines already on the market. The IndoRow product will be a more expensive product for the general public. 7) They will need to differentiate their product from the others out there why is it a better product, why should people pay more for their product than the others out there. The trainer database would work wonders on this product as it has with the Bosu product. They can get information out to the trainers along with suggested workouts, and routines for the competitive classes the gym will have.
Multiple Choice Qs
Chapter 1 1) The cost of data communications and data storage is essentially zero because of a) YouTube b) Facebook c) Twitter d) Moores Law e) None of the above Answer: d 2) Future business professionals need to be able to a) know how to create a Facebook page b) follow tweets c) assess, evaluate, and apply emerging information technology to business d) quote their MIS textbook e) none of the above Answer: c 3) How can a person attain job security? a) have a marketable skill b) the courage to use that marketable skill c) there is no such thing as job security
d) both a and b e) none of the above Answer: d 4) Abstract reasoning is a) the ability to make and manipulate models b) the inability to make and manipulate models c) the ability to experiment with your business d) all of the above e) none of the above Answer: a 5) These are components of the Five-Component model a) hardware b) software c) data d) procedures and people e) all of the above Answer: e 6) Which two parts of the Five Components are considered to be the Instructions? a) Hardware and People b) Data and Procedures c) Hardware and Software d) People and Procedures e) Software and Procedure Answer: e 7) What is the most important component? a)hardware b) software c) data d) procedure e) people which includes you Answer: e 8) Which is not a definition of Information? a) information is power b) information is knowledge derived from data c) information is data presented in a meaningful context d) information is processed data e) information is a difference that makes a difference Answer: a 9) What makes some information better than other information? a) that its accurate b) that its timely c) that its relevant d) that its worth its cost e) all of the above Answer: e 10) What refers to the products, methods, inventions, and standards that are used for the purpose of producing information? a) Information systems b) Computers in-a-product
c) Information technology d) 5 component model e) none of the above Answer: c Chapter 2 1) The effectiveness of a collaborative effort is driven by what 3 factors? a) communication, content management, and workflow control b) hardware, software, and data c) communication, permission, and workflow control d) none of the above e) all of the above Answer: a 2) What are the components of a collaboration information system a) hardware, software, data, procedures, communication b) hardware, software, data, procedures, people c) server, software, data, procedures, people d) hardware, workflow, data, procedures, people e) none of the above Answer: b 3) Which program is used in a collaboration information system? a) Google Docs & Spreadsheets b) Sharepoint c) Microsoft Groove d) All of the above e) None of the above Answer: d 4) How many procedures are important for collaboration? a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4 e) 0 Answer: b 5) This occurs when all team members meet at the same time, such as with conference calls, or faceto-face meetings a) Synchronous communication b) Asynchronous communication c) Virtual meetings d) Videoconferencing e) Conference calls Answer: a 6) Which is an alternative for sharing content? a) no control b) version management c) version control d) Google Docs & Spreadsheets e) A, b, & c Answer: e
7) Which are systems that provide version management? a) wikis b) Google Docs & Spreadsheets c) Microsoft Groove d) All of the above e) None of the above Answer: d 8) Which is a version control application? a) wikis b) Google Docs & Spreadsheets c) Microsoft Groove d) Microsoft Sharepoint e) None of the above Answer: d 9) This is a perceived difference between what is and what ought to be. a) collaboration b) communication c) problem d) all of the above e) none of the above Answer: c 10) Decisions occur at what levels in the organization? a) Operational, managerial, and strategic b) Supervisor, manager, and director c) On the steps on the first and second floor d) Vice President, Senior Vice Present, and President e) B and D Answer: a Chapter 3 1)