1. What are business processes? How are that related to information system?

In order to operate, business must deal with many different pieces of information, they must
organize work activities that use this information to operate efficiently and enhance the overall
performance of the firm. Information systems make it possible for firms to manage all their
information, make better decisions and improve the execution of their business processes.

2. Define business processes and describe the role they play in organization.

A business process is a logically related set of activities that define how specific business tasks
are performed. Business processes are the ways in which organizations coordinate and
organize work activities, information, and knowledge to produce their valuable products or
services.

3. Describe the relationship b/w information system and business processes.

Information systems automate manual business processes and make an organization more
efficient. Data and information are available to a wider range of decision-makers more quickly
when information systems are used to change the flow of information. Tasks can be performed
simultaneously rather than sequentially, speeding up the completion of business processes.
Information systems can also drive new business models that perhaps wouldn’t be possible
without the technology.

4. Describe the characteristics of transaction processing system and the role

they play in a business.

Transaction processing systems (TPS) are computerized systems that perform and record daily
routine transactions necessary in conducting business; they serve the organization’s operational
level. The principal purpose of systems at this level is to answer routine questions and to track
the flow of transactions through the organization.

1. At the operational level, tasks, resources, and goals are predefined and highly structured.
2. Managers need TPS to monitor the status of internal operations and the firm’s relationship with its
external environment.
3. TPS are major producers of information for other types of systems.
4. Transaction processing systems are often so central to a business that TPS failure for a few
hours can lead to a firm’s demise and perhaps that of other firms linked to it.

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5. Describe the characteristics of management information systems (MIS).

Management information system is a set of systems which helps management at different levels
to take better decisions by providing the necessary information to managers.

Characteristics of MIS

1. Management oriented
2. Management directed
3. Integrated
4. Common data flows
5. Strategic planning
6. Bias towards centralization

6. Describe the characteristics of decision support systems (DSS)?

Decision-support systems (DSS) support more non-routine decision making. They focus on
problems that are unique and rapidly changing, for which the procedure for arriving at a
solution may not be fully predefined in advance.

7. Describe the characteristics of executive support systems (ESS) and

explain how these systems differ from DSS.

Executive support systems (ESS) help senior management make these decisions. They address non-
routine decisions requiring judgment, evaluation, and insight because there is no agreed-on procedure
for arriving at a solution. ESS present graphs and data from many sources through an interface that is
easy for senior managers to use.

8. Explain how enterprise applications improve organizational

performance?

An organization operates in an ever-increasing competitive and global environment. The

successful organization focuses on the efficient execution of its processes, customer service,
and speed to market. Enterprise applications provide an organization with a consolidated view
of its operations across different functions, levels, and business units. Enterprise applications

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allow an organization to efficiently exchange information among its functional areas, business
units, suppliers, and customers.
9. Explain how intranets and extranets help firms integrate information and
business processes?
Intranets and extranets are private corporate networks based on Internet technology that
assemble information from disparate systems. Extranets make portions of private corporate
intranets available to outsiders.
10. Define collaboration and teamwork and explain why they have become
so important in business today?
Collaboration is working with others to achieve shared and explicit goals. Collaboration
focuses on task or mission accomplishment and usually takes place in a business, or other
organization, and between businesses.
Collaboration and teamwork are more important today than ever for a variety of reasons.
1. Changing nature of work.
2. Growth of professional work.
3. Changing organization of the firm.
4. Changing scope of the firm.
5. Emphasis on innovation.
6. Changing culture of work and business

11. List and describe the business benefits of collaboration.

The general belief is that the more a business firm is collaborative in nature, the more successful
it will be and that collaboration within and among firms is more essential than in the past. The
overall economic benefit of collaboration is significant.

1. Productivity: people working together accomplish tasks faster, with fewer errors, than those
working alone.
2. Quality: people can communicate errors and correct them faster when working together
versus working alone.
3. Innovation: people working in groups can generate more innovative ideas than if they were
working alone.
4. Customer service: people working in teams can solve customer complaints and issues faster
and more effectively versus working in isolation.

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5. Financial performance: collaborative firms have superior sales, sales growth, and financial
performance.

12. List and describe the various types of collaboration and communication
systems.

1. Internet-based collaboration environments like Lotus Notes, Groove, and WebEx provide
online storage space for documents, team communications (separated from-mail),
calendars, and audio-visual tools members can use to meet face-to-face.
2. E-mail and Instant Messaging (IM) are reliable methods for communicating whenever and
wherever around the globe.
3. Cell phones and wireless handhelds give professionals and other employees an easy way to
talk with one another, with customers and vendors, and with managers. These devices have
grown exponentially in sheer numbers and in applications available.
4. Social networking is no longer just “social.” Businesses are realizing the value of providing
easy ways for interaction workers to share ideas and collaborate with each other.
5. Wikis are ideal tools for storing and sharing company knowledge and insights. They are
often easier to use and cheaper than more proprietary knowledge management systems.
They also provide a more dynamic and current repository of knowledge than other systems.

13. What is the role of the information systems function in a business?

The information systems departments are the formal organizational unit responsible for
information technology services. The information systems department is responsible for
maintaining the hardware, software, data storage, and networks that comprise the firm’s IT
infrastructure.

14. Compare the roles played by programmers, system analysts, information

systems managers, the chief information officers (CIO), chief security officer
(CSO), and chief knowledge officer (CKO).

1. Programmers are highly trained to write down software instructions for computers. The
roles of programmers are that their job position is not just high in demand but readily
available.

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2. System analyst’s research problems, plans solutions, recommend software and systems
that are at least at the functional level. They also coordinate development to meet business
or other requirements.
3. Information systems managers implement information technology in an organization.
They are overseen as a team of Information Technology professionals. Besides that, they
are responsible for the computer systems within a company and also for the implementation
of technology within an organization.
4. Chief Information Officer (CIO) who is responsible for the development of a new
system. They are also involved with driving the analysis and re-engineering the existing of
a business process.
5. Chief Security Officer (CSO) is to supervise and control the work of security personally.
One should oversee a network of security directors and vendors who safeguard the
company's assets, intellectual property and computer systems.
6. Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO)’s role is to enhance customers’ satisfaction and needs.
This is through improved products or services and shorter lead times.

15. Define at least 10 definitions of MIS with references:

1. A management information system is a formalized computer information system that can

integrate data from various sources to provide the information necessary for man-agement
decision making” James A.F. Stoner
2. MIS is the subsystem [of an organization’s information system] relevant to managerial
decisions for control and strategic planning” James O. Hicks, Jr
3. The system that monitors and retrieves data from the environment, captures data from
transactions and operations within the firm, filters, organizes, and selects data and presents
them as information to managers, and provides the means for managers to generate
information as desired is called the management information system (MIS)” Ziya A ktas
4. MIS is a structured, integrated database that provides and facilitates the flow of information
over all the levels and components in a multi-level organization. MIS optimizes the transfer,
collection, and presentation of information to meet the organization’s needs.” Robert
G.Murdick
5. Management is a systematic mean by which a processed data (Information) can be
organized, analysed, controlled and directed in a regular pattern to achieve a common goal.
Larry Long

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6. MIS (management information systems) is the department controlling hardware and
software systems used for business-critical decision-making within an enterprise.
7. MIS (management information systems) is the study of people, technology and
organizations.
8. MIS (management information systems) refers to a computer-based system that provides
managers with the tools to organize and evaluate departments within an organization.
9. MIS (management information systems) on the management of information technology to
provide efficiency and effectiveness.
10.MIS (management information systems) is broadly used for the effectiveness of
management, people and organization

16. 10 examples of each software which we discuss in class?

System Software: is a set of instructions, designed to control the operation of the computer
system e.g. Windows, MAC, Linux, ios, UNIX, DOC, BIOS, Assembler, Linker software.
Application Software: Is the software which is written to perform specific tasks.
E.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Uninstaller, Screen Saver, Launcher, Cleaner, Antivirus,
MS Access, Coral Draw.

17. Why are information system so essential for running and managing a
business today?

Information systems are the foundation for conducting business today. In many industries,
survival and even existence without extensive use of IT is inconceivable, and IT plays a critical
role in increasing productivity. Although information technology has become more of a
commodity, when coupled with complementary changes in organization and management, it
can provide the foundation for new products, services, and ways of conducting business that
provide firms with a strategic advantage. There are some following essentials for today’s
business.

1. Operational excellence
2. New products, services, and business models
3. Customer and supplier intimacy
4. Improved decision making
5. Competitive advantage
6. Survival

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18. What exactly is an information system? How does it work? What are its
management, organization and technology components?

An information system is a set of interrelated components that work together to collect,

process, store, and disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control,
analysis, and visualization in an organization.

1. Management: The management dimension of information systems involves setting

organizational strategies, allocating human and financial resources, creating new products
and services and re-creating the organization if necessary
2. Organization: The organization dimension of information systems involves issues such
as the organization’s hierarchy, functional specialties, business processes, culture, and
political interest groups.
3. Technology: The technology dimension consists of computer hardware, software, data
management technology, and networking/telecommunications technology,

19. What are complementary assets? Why are complementary assets

essential for ensuring that information systems provide genuine value for
an organization?

Complementary assets are those assets required to derive value from a primary investment.
Firms must rely on supportive values, structures, and behavior patterns to obtain a greater value
from their IT investments. Here are a few of them:

1. Organizational assets:
1.1. Supportive culture that values efficiency and effectiveness
1.2. Appropriate business model
1.3. Efficient business processes
1.4. Decentralized authority
2. Managerial assets:
2.1. Strong senior management support for technology investment and change
2.2. Incentives for management innovation
2.3. Teamwork and collaborative work environments
3. Social assets:
3.1. The Internet and telecommunications infrastructure
3.2. IT-enriched educational programs raising labor force computer literacy

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 3.3. Standards (both government and private sector)

20. What academic disciplines are used to study information systems? How
does each contribute to an understanding of information systems? What is a
socio technical systems perspective?

The study about information systems deals with the issues and insights contributed from the
technical and behavioral disciplines. The disciplines that contribute to technical approach that
focusing on prescribed models and capabilities of systems are management science, computer
science and operations research. The disciplines contributing to behavioral approach which
focusing on design, accomplishment, management and business impact of systems are
sociology, psychology and economics. A socio-technical view of systems regard as both social
and technical features of systems and solution that will represent the most excellent fit between
them.

A socio technical perspective combines the technical approach and behavior approach to
achieve optimal organizational performance. Technology must be changed and designed to fit
organizational and individual needs and not the other way around

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