DS ch 12

A system that displays performance overviews of the firm in an easy-to-read graphical interface, along with the ability to drill down into fine-grained sales data can be categorized as a

CDSS

Dell Computer's online that tools allow users of their Web site to customize and order a new PC are a type of

CDSS

Saturn.com's "Build Your Own" feature, allowing customers to select the trim, transmission, engine, and other features of a car model is an example of a

CDSS

The third stage in Simon's description of decision making is ________.

Choice

A system that uses data mining to guide senior marketing executive's decisions about customer retention can be categorized as a

DSS

Which type of information system supports decision-making by enabling users to extract useful information that was previously buried in large quantities of data?

DSS

The chapter case discussing Dick's Sporting Goods stores illustrates the use of

DSS to enable greater supplier intimacy.

Which of the following was NOT a challenge Eastern Mountain Sports was facing in its management information systems and decision making?

Data was not being acquired by the proper channels.

The information system used by Caesar's Entertainment, which combines data from internal TPS with information from financial systems and external sources to deliver reports such as profit-loss statements, impact analyses, is an example of

ESS

DSS are a special category of GIS.

False

DSS primarily address structured problems.

False

Data visualization technologies help distill large amounts of information into easily read textual lists.

False

During a GDSS meeting, the attendees control the use of GDSS tools.

False

Middle management tends to face more unstructured decision scenarios, but may include some structured components.

False

The earliest DSS were data-driven.

False

The first stage in Simon's decision-making process model is the design stage.

False

The implementation phase of Simon's decision making model includes choosing among solution alternatives.

False

Unstructured decision making is most prevalent at lower organizational levels.

False

Web-based tools for videoconferencing and electronic meetings are the primary tools for GDSS.

False

As discussed in the chapter case, the system used in South Carolina to estimate and map the regional damage and losses resulting from an earthquake was a type of

GIS

Which type of information system uses data visualization technology to analyze and display data for planning and decision making in the form of digitized maps?

GIS

Which of the following statements best describes the business value of improved decision making?

Improved decision making results in a large monetary value for the firm as numerous small daily decisions affecting efficiency, production, costs, and more add up to large annual values

An information system for a building company that tracks construction costs for various projects across the United States would be categorized as a type of

MIS

A(n) ________ is an abstract representation illustrating the components or relationships of a phenomenon.

Model

________-driven DSS have analysis capabilities based on strong theories and used to perform "what-if" and similar kinds of analyses.

Model

The type of decision that can made by following a definite procedure is called a(n) ________ decision

Structured

A geographic information system is a decision support system designed specifically to work with spatial information.

True

A structured decision can be made by following a well-defined set of procedures. No "feel" or intuition is necessary.

True

Backward sensitivity analysis software is used for goal seeking.

True

GDSS facilitate the solution of unstructured problems by a set of decision makers working together as a group in either the same location or different locations.

True

MIS typically produce fixed, regularly scheduled reports based on data extracted and summarized from the firm's underlying transaction processing systems.

True

Rank-and-file employees tend to make more structured decisions.

True

The classical model of management does not address what exactly managers do when they plan, decide things, and control the work of others.

True

The intelligence phase of decision making consists of discovering, identifying, and understanding the problems occurring in the organization.

True

Unstructured decisions are novel and nonroutine, and there is no well-understood or agreed-on procedure for making them.

True

What-if analysis works forward from known or assumed conditions.

True

The concern that the structure of data is consistent within an information source reflects which quality dimension of information?

accuracy

A well-designed ESS will allow management to

all of the above.

The leading methodology for understanding the really important information needed by a firm's executives is called the ________ method.

balanced scorecard

The five classical functions of managers are planning, organizing, deciding, controlling, and

coordinating

A DSS database is a collection of

current or historical data from several applications or groups.

________ supports the decision-making processes of an existing or potential customer.

customer decision-support system, CDSS

The components of a DSS are the

database, software system, and user interface.

The role of entrepreneur falls into which of Mintzberg's managerial classifications?

decisional

You would use an optimization model to

determine the proper mix of products within a given market to maximize profits.

Which of the following features of an ESS displays traditional financial metrics with measurements from additional perspectives, such as customers, or learning and growth, on a single screen?

digital dashboard

________ uses easy-to-understand displays of information to provide management with a comprehensive view of firm performance on a single screen.

digital dashboard, executive dashboard

GDSS

enable increasing a meeting size without reducing productivity

Executives need a wide range of ________ as well as internal data.

external

The concept of management ________ describes situations in which managers act on biases that reject information that does not conform to their expectations.

filters

Which type of model is used to help managers use historical data to estimate future conditions and sales figures resulting from these conditions?

forecasting

Backward sensitivity analysis software is used for

goal seeking

________ facilitates the solution to unstructured problems by a set of decision-makers working together as a group.

group decision-support systems, GDSS

ESS

have the ability to drill down into lower levels of detail

GDSS

implement structured methods for organizing and evaluating ideas.

In contrast to the classical model of management, behavioral models see the actual behavior of managers as being more

informal

As discussed in the chapter text, the three main reasons that investments in information technology do NOT always produce positive results are

information quality, organizational culture, and management filters.

Which phase of decision making finds or recognizes a problem, need, or opportunity?

intelligence

Simon's description of decision making consists of which four stages?

intelligence, design, choice, and implementation.

The role of liaison falls into which of Mintzberg's managerial classifications?

interpersonal

Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles outlines which three main categories?

interpersonal, informational, and decisional

Which of the following managerial roles is NOT supported by information systems?

leader

The easy use of graphics in an ESS allows the user to

look at more data in less time with greater clarity

According to Mintzberg, managers in their informational role act as A. figureheads for the organization.

nerve centers of the organization

MIS typically produce

new ways of looking at data that emphasize change, flexibility, and rapid response.

________ model determines the best resource allocation to maximize or minimize specified variables.

optimization

The chapter case discussing overbooking on airlines illustrates that

organizational and people challenges may defeat a relatively successful technological solution.

Behavioral models of managers find that, from observation, managers

perform often fewer than 100 activities a day.

The decisions involved in creating and producing a corporate intranet can be classified as ________ decisions

semistructured

Which type of model asks what-if questions repeatedly to determine the impact on outcomes of changes in one or more factors?

sensitivity analysis

Of the three main DSS components, the ________ system comprises the tools used for data analysis.

software

A pivot table is a

spreadsheet tool that displays two or more dimensions of data in a convenient format.

A(n) ________ decision is repetitive and routine, for which known algorithms provide solutions.

structured

Checking store inventory is an example of a(n) ________ decision.

structured

Which type of decision is calculating gross pay for hourly workers?

structured

An essential component in the ability of GDSS to contribute to a collaborative environment is

the guarantee of user anonymity.

The decision to approve a capital budget is an example of a(n) ________ decision

unstructured

When there is no well-understood or agreed-on procedure for making a decision, it is said to be

unstructured

Which type of decision is deciding whether to introduce a new product line?

unstructured

The concern that data values of an information source fall within a defined range reflects which quality dimension of information?

validity