FBIM - Chapter 1 (questions)

• Describe how information systems have changed the way businesses operate and their products and services. (How are information systems transforming business, and why are they so essential for running and managing a business today?)

Information Systems have changed the way businesses operate and their products and services by introducing the use of e-mail, online conferencing, smartphones and tablet computers as a way to conduct and operate business; as a matter of fact, the internet have allowed companies to buy, sell, advertise and promote customer feedback online. In addition, the internet has played an important role in promoting globalization by reducing the costs of producing, buying and selling goods on a worldwide level.

• Identify three major new information system trends. (How are information systems transforming business, and why are they so essential for running and managing a business today?)

The three major new information system trends include mobile digital platform, big data, and cloud computing.

 

• Describe the characteristics of a digital firm. (How are information systems transforming business, and why are they so essential for running and managing a business today?)

Nowadays, the presence of information systems has pushed organizations to become digital firms. With the term digital firm, we refer to a firm where relationships with customers, suppliers and employees are based on a digital foundation. In addition, the core processes are executed digitally, and, compared to traditional firms, digital firms deliver fast and flexible responses to market changes.

• Describe the challenges and opportunities of globalization in a “flattened” world.(How are information systems transforming business, and why are they so essential for running and managing a business today?)

In 2005, Thomas Friedman came up with the concept of flattened world: this term referred to the reduction of economic and cultural advantages that developed countries had with the presence of the internet and global communications. The challenges are represented by the need to develop skills that can't be outsourced and the avoidance of low-cost offshore competition. However, at the same time, opportunities are represented by a potential global expansion and cost reduction.

• List and describe six reasons why information systems are so important for business today. (How are information systems transforming business, and why are they so essential for running and managing a business today?)

6 reasons why Information systems are so important for business today is:

- Operational excellence

- New products/services/business models

- Customer/supplier intimacy

- Improved decision-making

- Competitive advantage

Day to day survival

• Define an information system and describe the activities it performs. (What is an information system? How does it work? What are its management, organization, and technology components? Why are complementary assets essential for ensuring that information systems provide genuine value for organizations?)

An information system collects, stores and spreads information from an organization's environment and internal operations to support organizational functions and decision making, communication, coordination, control , analysis, and visualization. I.S. transform raw data into useful info thru 3 basic activities: input, processing, and output.

• List and describe the organizational, management, and technology dimensions of information systems. (What is an information system? How does it work? What are its management, organization, and technology components? Why are complementary assets essential for ensuring that information systems provide genuine value for organizations?)

I.S. has 3 dimensions:

• Organizational, which involves issues such as the org's hierarchy, functional specialties, business processes, culture, and political interest groups.

• Management, which involves issues such as leadership, strategy, and management behaviour

• Technological, consists of computer hardware, software and networking/telecommunications technology (including the internet)

• Distinguish between data and information and between information systems literacy and computer literacy.(What is an information system? How does it work? What are its management, organization, and technology components? Why are complementary assets essential for ensuring that information systems provide genuine value for organizations?)

Data is raw facts; information is processed data with meaning.

Information systems literacy includes understanding people and processes, while computer literacy focuses on technical skills.

• Explain how the Internet and the World Wide Web are related to the other technology components of information systems (What is an information system? How does it work? What are its management, organization, and technology components? Why are complementary assets essential for ensuring that information systems provide genuine value for organizations?)

 

The Web can be a foundation for new kinds of I.S such as, UPS's web-based package tracking system.

• Define complementary assets and describe their relationship to information technology (What is an information system? How does it work? What are its management, organization, and technology components? Why are complementary assets essential for ensuring that information systems provide genuine value for organizations?)

In order to have value from I.S, organizations must support their tech investments with appropriate complementary investments in organizations and management

• Describe the complementary social, managerial, and organizational assets required to optimize returns from information technology investments (What is an information system? How does it work? What are its management, organization, and technology components? Why are complementary assets essential for ensuring that information systems provide genuine value for organizations?)

These complementary assets include new business models and business processes, supportive organizational culture and management behavior, and appropriate technology standards, regulations, and laws.

New information technology investments are unlikely to produce high returns unless businesses make the appropriate managerial and organizational changes to support the technology

What academic disciplines are used to study information systems, and how does each contribute to an understanding of information systems?

The study of information systems introduces a sociotechnical perspective, which combines 2 major approaches: technical and behavioral disciplines.

• List and describe each discipline that contributes to a technical approach to information systems.(What academic disciplines are used to study information systems, and how does each contribute to an understanding of information systems?)

• List and describe each discipline that contributes to a behavioral approach to information systems. ((What academic disciplines are used to study information systems, and how does each contribute to an understanding of information systems?)

When it comes to the behavioral approach, the disciplines that contribute to it are psychology (user behavior), sociology (organizational structure, roles, norms, and group interactions), and economics (broader business impacts of systems). These disciplines focus on design, adoption, implementation, and the impact of IS on people and organization.

 Describe the sociotechnical perspective on information systems. (What academic disciplines are used to study information systems, and how does each contribute to an understanding of information systems?)

According to the sociotechnical perspective, both technical and behavioral aspects of systems and solutions are the best fit between them.