Type:
Solution Manual
Introduction to Information Resource: Systems Edition:
2nd Edition
Author(s):
R. Kelly Rainer Casey G. Cegielski Ingrid Splettstoesser-Hogeterp Cristobal Sanchez-Rodriguez
Rainer, Cegielski, Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, Sanchez-Rodriguez
CHAPTER 1:
Introduction to Information Systems, 2Ce
The Modern Organization in the Global, Web-Based Environment
Learning Objectives 1.1
Link effective information technology planning to business planning.
1.2
Describe business processes and explain how business process management helps to improve how businesses function.
1.3
Explain the role of data, information, and knowledge. Differentiate between information technology architecture and information technology infrastructure.
1.4
Describe the global business environment and how globalization has affected organizations.
1.5
Discuss the relationships among business pressures, organizational responses, and information systems.
1.6
Provide examples of the relevance of information systems to individuals and organizations.
1.7
Describe the plan of this book.
Teaching Tips and Strategies Getting Students Interested It is necessary for students to learn the basic terms that define the foundation of Management Information Systems, but students will often find this task boring or uneventful. Students often fail to see the importance of Management Information Systems (MIS) and how it relates to them. In order to involve students in the class, it is vital to let them know what is in it for them. This should be done early to engage the students from the beginning. You may want to find out each student’s major course of study and show them how MIS knowledge can enhance their major and their chosen careers. Knowing each student’s major and career goals will help you tailor examples, classroom assignments and discussion to the interests of the students. Point out the end of the chapter What’s In IT For Me section so that students know there are links to each major for each chapter. Explaining how MIS has affected businesses as well as workers alike helps to get students interested in this class. It helps students to understand the importance when they are told stories of how computers have evolved and how MIS and DSS applications have made management decision-making easier and more reliable.
Instructor’s Manual .
1-1
Chapter 1
Rainer, Cegielski, Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, Sanchez-Rodriguez
Introduction to Information Systems, 2Ce
IT Salaries The importance of computer technology is underscored by examples of how companies save money by using e-mail as another option to the postal service. Students should be introduced to the concept that IT is important to business leaders all over the world. The website www.canadavisa.com/canadian-salary-survey.html, provides a summary of the range of salaries that are currently being earned by professionals in various occupations. Salary information gets students’ attention, especially if they realize that by being more technology savvy, they will tend to make more money. This really seems to get their interest.
Review Questions Section 1.2 - Before you go on… 1. Why is IT planning important to organizations? Organizations operate under a strategic business plan, which is usually supported by an IT plan. Therefore IT planning is used to analyze the need for new information systems and justify these in terms of cost and benefits. The costbenefit justification must look at the wisdom of investing in a specific IT system versus spending the funds on alternative projects. . 2. What is the purpose of an IT steering committee? The purpose of the IT steering committee is to establish IT priorities and to ensure that the MIS function is meeting the enterprise’s needs. The committee’s major tasks are to link corporate strategy and IT strategy, to approve the allocation of resources for the MIS function, and to establish performance measures for the MIS function and ensure that they are met. 3. How is the IT operational plan related to the IT strategic plan? An IT operational plan must facilitate and support the IT strategic plan. The operational plan consists of a clear set of projects that the IS department and the functional area managers will execute in support of the IT strategic plan Section 1.3 – Before you go on… 1.
What is a business process?
Instructor’s Manual .
1-2
Chapter 1
Rainer, Cegielski, Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, Sanchez-Rodriguez
Introduction to Information Systems, 2Ce
A business process is a collection of related activities that produce a product or a service of value to the organization, its business partners, and/or its customers. A process has inputs and outputs, and its activities can be measured.
2.
What is business process management, and why is it so important to organizations? Business process management is a management technique that includes methods and tools to support the design, analysis, implementation, management, and optimization of business processes. It is a less radical, less disruptive, and more incremental approach to business process reengineering, which is an attempt to radically redesign business processes to lower costs and increase quality in order to become more competitive. An organization’s performance depends on how well it manages its business processes. BPM helps companies improve profitability by decreasing costs and increasing revenues. Over time, BPM can create a competitive advantage by improving organizational flexibility. For many companies, BPM can provide cost benefits and increase customer satisfaction.
Section 1.4 – Before you go on… 1. Provide an example of data items, information, and knowledge. Data item - the marks a student earned in an exam Information – the student’s GPA Knowledge – impact of GPA on student performance in a program 2. Distinguish between an IT infrastructure and an IT platform. An organization’s information technology (IT) infrastructure consists of the physical facilities, IT components, IT services, and IT personnel that support the entire organization An IT platform consists only of the technical IT components. Therefore, a platform is part of the IT infrastructure.
Instructor’s Manual .
1-3
Chapter 1
Rainer, Cegielski, Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, Sanchez-Rodriguez
Introduction to Information Systems, 2Ce
“IT’s About Business” Questions 1.1 – Drug-Dispensing Kiosks Improve Customer Service 1. What might be some of the long-range goals of a new company such as PCA Services Inc.? Long-range goals may include increasing the number of automated drug kiosks, increasing the number of different types of drugs offered and/or introducing kiosks to other types of locations, e.g. hospitals. 2. Explain how the information systems in use at the drug-dispensing kiosks help to support the business requirements of PCA Services Inc. The IS enables and/or provides support for: • proper identification of the customer • detecting customers who may be “doctor shopping” • communications between the customer and pharmacist • the prescription being scanned and verified • drug interactions can be discussed • RFID tagging ensures accuracy of the drug • encryption of data for secure transmission and storage of information.
1.2 - Zero-Footprint Information Technology at State Street 1. Discuss the relationship between State Street’s zero-footprint IT model and the global, web-based platform. With its “zero-footprint “IT model, State Street is able to access various network services and process its business transactions from a local site, that is connected to global and regional data centres that support on-site servers, business applications, and data. This global, web-based platform is worldwide and supported by the Internet and the functionality of the World Wide Web. The platform enables individuals to connect, compute, communicate, collaborate, and compete anywhere and anytime. 2. What are potential disadvantages of State Street’s zero-footprint IT model? Potential disadvantages might include: • the vulnerability of employing a centralized system, which can seriously impact a larger area of operations in case of failure or problems • having a “one size fits all” approach could introduce negative cultural and/or political differences • time variances could also be an issue. Instructor’s Manual . ..
1-4 .
Chapter 1 page is