IS 3003 Chapter 1

An information system can be defined technically as a set of interrelated components that collect (or retrieve), process, store, and distribute information to support: A) decision making and control in an organization. B) communications and data flow. C) managers analyzing the organization's raw data. D) the creation of new products and services.

Answer: A

Detailed, preprogrammed instructions that control and coordinate the computer hardware components in an information system describes: A) software. B) programming. C) enterprise applications. D) business intelligence.

Answer: A

Inadequate database capacity is an example of the ________ dimension of business problems. A) technology B) organizational C) people D) management

Answer: A

Journalist Thomas Friedman's description of the world as "flat" referred to: A) the flattening of economic and cultural advantages of developed countries. B) the use of the Internet and technology for instantaneous communication. C) the reduction in travel times and the ubiquity of global exchange and travel. D) the growth of globalization.

Answer: A

The use of information systems because of necessity describes the business objective of: A) survival. B) improved business practices. C) competitive advantage. D) improved flexibility.

Answer: A

Poor business processes is an example of the ________ dimension of business problems. A) management B) organizational C) people D) infrastructure

Answer: B

The six important business objectives of information system investment include all of the following except: A) competitive advantage. B) employee morale. C) improved decision making. D) survival.

Answer: B

Data management technology consists of: A) the physical hardware and media used by an organization for storing data. B) the detailed, preprogrammed instructions that control and coordinate the computer hardware components in an information system. C) the software governing the organization of data on physical storage media. D) the hardware and software used to transfer data.

Answer: C

Electronic computers and related software programs are the technical foundation, the tools and materials, of: A) all business procedures. B) information accumulation. C) modern information systems. D) all industrialized countries.

Answer: C

Legal and regulatory compliance is an example of the ________ dimension of business problems. A) management B) organizational C) people D) technology

Answer: C

The field that deals with behavioral issues, as well as technical issues surrounding the development, use, and impact of information systems used by managers and employees in the firm, is called: A) information systems literacy. B) information systems architecture. C) management information systems. D) information technology infrastructure.

Answer: C

The world's largest and most widely used network is: A) usa.gov. B) the Web. C) the Internet. D) DARPAnet.

Answer: C

To make sure they stock clothes that their customers will purchase, a department store implements a new application that analyzes spending levels at their stores and cross references this data to popular clothing styles. This is an example of using information systems to support a business strategy of: A) new products, services, and business models. B) survival. C) customer and supplier intimacy. D) improved decision making.

Answer: C

Which of the following statements is not true? A) The most common and successful offshore outsourcing projects involve production programming and system maintenance programming work, along with call center work. B) Inflation in Indian wages for technology work is leading to a counter movement of jobs back to the United States. C) The fear that offshore outsourcing will reduce demand for new information system hires in the U.S. is mitigated by the fact that reduced IT expenditures results in increased IT investments and the creation of domestic jobs. D) The impact of domestic IT outsourcing has been very disruptive to some regional areas of the U.S.

Answer: D

Whereas marketing and financial careers have been transformed by the growth in information systems, management has-so far-remained relatively unaffected.

FALSE

Business processes are those logically related tasks for accomplishing tasks that have been formally encoded by an organization.

FALSE Business processes also include both formal processes and informal work practices.

IT managerial jobs are outsourced easily because of the universal standards used by the Internet.

FALSE. Outsourcing is being countered by increase in Indian wages and increase in outsourcing costs.

Political conflict is an example of the people dimension of business problems.

FALSE. People dimension problems include lack of employee training; difficulties of evaluating performance; legal and regulatory compliance; work environment; lack of employee support and participation; indecisive management; poor management; wrong incentives

Information systems consist of all the hardware and software that a firm needs to use in order to achieve its business objectives.

False. Information systems are not limited to information technologies. Information systems include people and procedures, in addition to information technologies (hardware and software). (Others include data as another component of information systems.)

Encouraging employees to adapt to new business processes is an important factor in change management.

TRUE

An information technology (IT) infrastructure provides the platform on which the firm can build its information systems.

TRUE Terms such as infrastructure and platform have a regular English meaning; they also tend to be used as jargon in the field of information systems.

Employee attitudes about their jobs, employers, or technology can have a powerful effect on their abilities to use information systems productively.

TRUE This is one of the key messages of the course. Technology can succeed or fail based on employee acceptance of or resistance to technology, even when the technological solution may be the right solution.

An understanding of enterprise-wide systems for customer relationship management is one of the skills relevant to careers in marketing.

TRUE.

The dimensions of information systems are people, organizations, and information technology

True