Chapter 12

According to Peter G. Keen, a former MIT professor, which of the following is a benefit of a decision support system (DSS)?

Fast response to unexpected situations

Which of the following is a task performed by a geographic information system (GIS)?

Finding zip codes of areas with high population

is software that helps a team of decision makers work with the same application, regardless of their locations.

Groupware

_____ are programs that carry out repetitive tasks and can be programmed to make decisions based on specified conditions.

Intelligent agents

Identify a true statement about a Web-based group support system (GSS).

It can be used on any operating system.

Which of the following is true of a group support system (GSS)?

It reduces stress levels of decision makers.

_____ ensures that key decision makers are involved in designing a management support system (MSS).

Keeping lines of communication open

Which of the following is an important factor in designing a management support system (MSS)?

Keeping the interface simple

The _____ of an executive information system (EIS) is responsible for managing data access.

administrative module

In the intelligence phase of the decision-making process, a decision maker defines criteria and generates alternatives to meet the criteria.

false

A(n) ______ captures, stores, processes, and displays information in a topographical context, such as showing the location of all streetlights on a map.

geographic information system

In _____, a geographic information system (GIS) is used to make the best use of personnel and equipment while dealing with a tight budget and maintaining crime statistics.

government

The _____ module of an executive information system (EIS) is responsible for using the system.

runtime

In a typical organization, _____ are often used in capital acquisition analysis.

semistructured decisions

In the context of the features of a decision support system (DSS), _____ enables you to apply different variables in decision making.

sensitivity analysis

A geographic information system (GIS) with analytical capabilities evaluates the impact of decisions by interpreting _____.

spatial data

Managers use executive information systems (EISs) to:

spot trends..

Record keeping, payroll, and simple inventory problems are examples of _____ tasks.

structured

Groupware is intended mainly for _____.

teamwork

A geographic information system (GIS) can integrate maps and database data with queries.

true

According to the guidelines for designing a management support system, when benefits are intangible, the design team should associate the benefits with a measurable factor, such as increased sales.

true

Criteria are goals and objectives that decision makers establish to achieve certain performance levels.

true

Effective design and implementation of an executive information system (EIS) requires top management support and user involvement.

true

Executive information systems (EISs) are used for reporting exceptions.

true

In the context of organizational decisions at the tactical management level, _____ are often used in resolving conflicts between two divisions.

unstructured decisions

In the context of organizational decisions at the tactical management level, _____ are often used in setting queue priorities.

unstructured decisions

_____ is an area that involves unstructured decisions.

Research and development

_____ can be automated because a well-defined standard operating procedure exists for these types of decisions.

Structured decisions

The _____ of an executive information system (EIS) is used by developers to configure data mapping and screen sequencing.

builder module

During the _________ of the decision-making process, the best and most effective course of action is selected.

choice phase

The _____ component of a decision support system (DSS) enables the DSS to perform analysis operations on the information stored in the system.

database

A(n) _____ is an interactive information system consisting of hardware, software, data, and models (mathematical and statistical) designed to assist strategy makers in an organization.

decision support system

A(n) ____ is a branch of decision support systems (DSSs) that gives managers easy access to internal and external data and typically includes drill-down features and a digital dashboard for examining and analyzing information.

executive information system

For a(n) _____ to be useful, it should collect data related to an organization's critical success factors-issues that make or break a business.

executive information system

During the _____ of the decision-making process, ideas are converted into actions.

implementation phase

In the _____ of the decision-making process, data is collected from internal and external sources and processed.

intelligence phase

The _____ component of a decision support system (DSS) includes mathematical and statistical models that, along with the database, enable a DSS to analyze information

model base

The _____ component of a decision support system (DSS) includes mathematical and statistical models that, along with the database, enable a DSS to analyze information.

model base

Decisions related to _____ are considered structured decisions at the operational management level of an organization.

payroll

_____ involves semistructured decisions.

Budget preparation

Identify a characteristic of electronic meeting systems.

Desktop conferencing enables participants to have multiple video windows open at one time.

_____ are vaguely defined by standard operating procedures but include a structured aspect that benefits from information retrieval, analytical models, and information systems technology.

Semistructured decisions

Identify a true statement about unstructured decisions.

They are heavily influenced by the decision maker's intuitions.

Which of the following is true of semistructured decisions?

They involve multiple criteria.

The ____ feature of a decision support system (DSS) pinpoints the region that generated the highest total sales.

exception reporting analysis

The _____ feature of a decision support system (DSS) pinpoints the region that generated the highest total sales.

exception reporting analysis

In the context of defining the objectives and benefits of a management support system (MSS), which of the following is an intangible benefit?

Improving customer service

Unstructured decisions are often used in computer configuration.

false

Which of the following geographic objects of a geographic information system (GIS) is most likely used to show a particular zip code or a large tourist attraction?

Areas

The component of a decision support system (DSS) that manages and coordinates the other major components is the _____.

DSS engine

Identify a true statement about decision support systems (DSSs).

DSSs facilitate improvements but do not necessarily cause them.

is a feature of electronic meeting systems that combines the advantages of video teleconferencing and real-time computer conferencing.

Desktop conferencing

_____ enable decision makers in different locations to participate in a group decision-making process.

Electronic meeting systems

_____ uses the geographic information system (GIS) application to dispatch personnel and equipment to crime and fire locations.

Government

Which of the following geographic objects of a geographic information system (GIS) is most likely used to show a street or a river?

Lines

Which of the following geographic objects of a geographic information system (GIS) is most likely used to show the location of an airport?

Points

Identify a disadvantage of group support systems (GSSs).

Unnecessary meetings

In the context of the roles in the decision support system (DSS) environment, which of the following questions does a managerial designer address?

What should the balance between aggregated and disaggregated data be?

Decisions related to _____ are considered semistructured decisions at the operational management level of an organization.

accounts receivable

A(n) _____, used in the choice phase, helps sort through possible solutions to choose the best one for an organization.

decision support system

A user interface enables a decision support system (DSS) to analyze information.

false

Decision support systems (DSS) are focused on efficiency rather than effectiveness.

false

Groupware is software that helps a group of decision makers work with the same application, provided they work in the same location.

false

In a decision support system (DSS), the user interface manages and coordinates the database and model base.

false

Real-time computer conferencing used in electronic meeting systems includes video capability.

false

A(n) _____ uses spatial and nonspatial data and specialized techniques for storing coordinates of networks of lines (roads, rivers, streets) and reporting zones (zip codes, cities, counties, states).

geographic information system

A group support system (GSS), with the help of a(n) _____, enhances decision making by providing a clear focus for group discussion and focusing attention on critical issues.

human facilitator

The _____ aspect of a group support system (GSS) reduces communication barriers and introduces order and efficiency into situations that are inherently unsystematic and inefficient.

intervention

Unstructured decisions are often used in _____.

introducing a new product

The different types of information systems that have been developed to support certain aspects and types of decisions are collectively called

management support systems

A(n) ____ is a system that performs tasks similar to a database management system (DBMS).

model base management system

In a decision support system (DSS) environment, a _____ is the liaison between users and designers.

model builder

In the context of organizational decisions at the strategic management level, _____ are often used in deciding the plant location of an organization.

structured decisions

In a decision support system (DSS), decisions about the type of file structure to be used are taken by the _____.

technical designer

In the decision support system (DSS) environment, the _____ focuses on how a DSS is implemented and usually addresses questions about data storage, user access, response time, and security measures.

technical designer

In the context of executive information systems (EISs), _____ allows managers to flag data that is unusual or out of normal boundaries.

variance reporting