BUS108 chapter 1 short answer

Identify and briefly define six characteristics that describe the quality of data.

1. Accessible- Information should be easily accessible by authorized users so they can obtain it in the right format and at the right time to meet their needs. 2. Accurate- Accurate information is error free. In some cases, inaccurate information is generated because inaccurate data is fed into the transformation process. This is commonly called garbage in, garbage out (GIGO). 3. Complete- Complete information contains all the important facts. For example, an investment report that does not include all important costs is not complete. 4. Timely-Timely information is delivered when it is needed. Knowing last week's weather conditions will not help when trying to decide what coat to wear today 5.Secure- Information should be secure from access by unauthorized users. 6. Verifiable- Information should be verifiable. This means that you can check it to make sure it is correct, perhaps by checking many sources for the same information.

When considering the role of business managers in working with IS, it is useful to divide information systems into three types. Name and briefly describe those three types

1. Personal IS-An information system that improves the productivity of individual users in performing stand-alone tasks. 2.Group IS- An information system that improves communications and support collaboration among members of a workgroup. 3. Enterprise IS- An information system that an organization uses to define structured interactions among its own employees and/or with external customers, suppliers, government agencies, and other business partners.

What is meant by an organization's technology infrastructure?

A business's technology infrastructure includes all the hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, people, and procedures that are configured to collect, manipulate, store, and process data into information. The technology infrastructure is a set of shared IS resources that form the foundation of each computer-based information system.

What is the difference between a value chain and a supply chain?

A value chain is a series (chain) of events that includes inbound logistics, warehouse and storage, production, finished product storage, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, and customer service. A supply chain is a network of suppliers, distributors, and retailers that participate in the production of a product.

Briefly define the term "business process reengineering."

Business process reengineering is the radical redesign of business processes, organizational structures, information systems, and values of the organization to achieve a breakthrough in business results.

What is meant by continuous improvement?

Continuous improvement is a form of innovation that constantly seeks ways to improve business processes and add value to products and services.

How is data different from information? How is information different from knowledge?

Data is the raw material from which information is composed. Information includes a context for the data. Knowledge is an awareness of how to apply the information

What activities are encompassed by supply chain management?

Supply chain management (SCM) helps determine what supplies are required for the value chain, what quantities are needed to meet customer demand, how the supplies should be processed (manufactured) into finished goods and services, and how the shipment of supplies and products to customers should be scheduled, monitored, and controlled.

Identify and briefly describe the differences between the two types of innovation discussed in the chapter.

Sustaining innovation results in enhancements to existing products, services, and ways of operating. Such innovations are important because they enable an organization to continually increase profits, lower costs, and gain market share. A disruptive innovation is one that initially provides a lower level of performance than the marketplace has grown to accept. Over time, however, the disruptive innovation is improved to provide new performance characteristics, becoming more attractive to users in a new market.

What are some of the characteristics of a virtual team?

The members of a virtual team are distributed geographically, but collaborate and complete work through the use of information systems. Members may seldom meet face to face. Virtual team members must be prepared to do work anywhere, anytime. As a result, members of a virtual team may feel that their work day never ends.

What is meant by the term "the soft side of implementing change"?

The soft side of implementing change involves work designed to help employees embrace a new information system and way of working.

Identify and briefly describe the five key organizational complements that must be in place to ensure successful implementation and use of an information system.

Well-trained workers. Employees must be well trained and understand the need for the new system, what their role is in using or operating the system, and how to get the results they need from the system. System support. Trained and experienced users who can show others how to gain value from the system and overcome start-up problems. Better teamwork. Employees must understand and be motivated to work together to achieve the anticipated benefits of the system. Redesigned processes. New systems often require radical redesign of existing work processes as well as the automation of new processes. New decision rights. Employees must understand and accept their new roles and responsibilities including who is responsible for making what decisions. Roles and responsibilities often change with introduction of a new system

What is an information system? What is the role of feedback in a system?

An information system is a set of interrelated elements or components that collect (input), manipulate and store (process), and disseminate (output) data and information and provide a feedback mechanism to meet an objective. In information systems, feedback is information from the system that is used to make changes to input or processing activities.

Sketch and briefly describe Leavitt's diamond.

Leavitt's diamond proposes that every organizational system is made up of four main components—people, tasks, structure, and technology—that all interact; any change in one of these elements will necessitate a change in the other three elements. Thus, to successfully implement a new information system, appropriate changes must be made to the people, structure, and tasks affected by the new system.

Identify the six basic components of any computer-based information system.

hardware, software, databases, networks, people, and procedures