Chapter 6

____ is a common characteristic of an executive support system.

All of the above

____ is an organizational unit within an enterprise that does not directly generate revenue.

Cost center

The key components of a(n) ____ system include a database, model base, dialogue manager, and access to networks and other computer-based systems.

DSS

A decision support system includes people, procedures, software, databases, and devices to help assemble, store, manipulate, and display geographic information. True/False

False

A flexible manufacturing system uses computers to link the components of the production process into an effective system. True/False

False

A well-known model developed by Herbert Simon divides the decision making phase of the problem solving process into three stages: design, implementation, and monitoring. True/False

False

An ad hoc DSS is concerned with situations or decisions that come up frequently during the life of the organization. True/False

False

An executive support system would never be used by members of middle management. True/False

False

DSS and MIS systems are actually quite similar in numerous ways, including the types of problems solved, the support given to users, and the decision emphasis and approach. True/False

False

Decision support systems are only used by the top levels of management. True/False

False

Demand reports are produced on a regular schedule, the same time each day, week, or month. True/False

False

Drill down reports are automatically produced when a situation is unusual or requires management action. True/False

False

In general, computerized decision support systems can optimize or minimize. True/False

False

Internal auditing involves analyzing the internal financial condition of the firm. True/False

False

Most financial MISs integrate financial and operational information from multiple sources, including the Internet, into multiple systems. True/False

False

Product development data yields valuable information for the development and marketing of new products. True/False

False

Since an MIS helps make decisions about internal problems, only internal data need be entered to the MIS. True/False

False

The economic order quantity is calculated to minimize the number of times an inventory item must be reordered. True/False

False

The overall purpose of the human resource planning subsystem is to aid in the recruiting and selecting of personnel. True/False

False

The ultimate goal of management information and decision support systems is to help managers at the highest level in the organization make automated decisions with little or no effort. True/False

False

The ____ system provides for the gathering of anonymous input, allows for the exchange of information and expertise among people without direct face-to-face interaction, and support many difference decision-making approaches.

GSS

An effective ____ MIS enables an organization to keep personnel costs at a minimum while serving the required business processes needed to achieve corporate goals.

HR

A(n) ____ normally is used with structured problems and usually emphasizes information only.

MIS

The most significant internal data sources for an MIS are the organization's ____.

TPS and ERP (various TPS and ERP systems and related databases)

A key indicator report summarizes the previous day's critical activities and is typically available at the beginning of each workday. True/False

True

A marketing MIS supports managerial activities in product development, distribution, pricing, promotions, and sales. True/False

True

An MIS can be divided along functional lines to produce reports tailored to individual functions. True/False

True

An MIS provides managers and decision makers with information to help achieve organizational goals. True/False

True

CAD is used in the development and design of complex structures and products. True/False

True

Computerized sales analysis is important to identify products, sales personnel, and customers that contribute to profits and those that do not. True/False

True

Cost centers are units within the company that do not directly generate income. True/False

True

Heuristics, also known as "rules of thumb," are commonly accepted guidelines or procedures that usually find a good solution. True/False

True

Programmed decisions are made using a rule, procedure, or quantitative method. True/False

True

The Delphi approach is a group decision making approach that encourages diversity among group members and fosters creativity and original thinking in decision making. True/False

True

The database management system of a DSS can also connect to external databases to give decision makers even more information and decision support beyond that available through just corporate databases. True/False

True

The use of computerized systems is emphasized at all levels of manufacturing-from the shop floor to the executive suite. True/False

True

Traditionally, executives simply added a profit margin to total costs to set prices and guarantee a decent profit. True/False

True

Decision support systems ____.

all of the above

The ability to ____ is a characteristic of a MIS system.

all of the above

The ability to ____ is a characteristic of a financial MIS.

all of the above

____ reports are a set of reports developed to provide certain information upon request.

demand

During the ____ stage of the problem solving process, you develop alternative solutions to the problem and evaluate their feasibility.

design

A typical DSS includes many components including the ____ which allows decision makers to easily access and manipulate the DSS and to use common business terms and phrases.

dialogue manager

The focus of a DSS is on decision-making ____ when faced with unstructured or semistructured business problems.

effectiveness

A(n) ____ is an approach that allows manufacturing facilities to rapidly and efficiently change from making one product to another.

flexible manufacturing system

The two phases of problem solving that were added by Huber to Simon's original three-sate model were ____.

implementation and monitoring

The ____ is not a component of the typical DSS?

inference engine

The first stage in the problem solving process during which one identifies and defines potential problems or opportunities is the ____ stage.

intelligence

One characteristic of a structured problem is that ____.

it is straightforward (it is straightforward, requiring known facts and relationships)

The ____ report summarizes the previous day's critical activities and is typically available at the start of each workday.

key-indicator

The ____ MIS subsystems and outputs are used to monitor and control the flow of materials, products, and services through the organization.

manufacturing

A(n) ____ MIS supports managerial activities in product development, distribution, pricing, promotions, and sales forecasting. manufacturing marketing financial human resources

marketing

The performance of decision support systems is typically a function of decision quality and ____.

problem complexity

Subsystems for the marketing MIS include ____.

product development

An executive support system ____.

uses online resources (takes full advantage of data mining, blogs, and social networking sites)