Page 637 - Introduction to Business

CHAPTER 17 Management Information Systems 611

Chapter Questions research studies have been mixed? How can
organizations determine the business value of their
1. What are management information systems? information systems?
2. What are two classifications of information systems? 2. There has been a lot of talk lately in business
3. What are the major activities in developing organizations about ethics in information systems
information systems? and any related legislation. Do you think that
4. How are global firms configuring their information ethics in information systems can or should be
systems? legislated? How can organizations ensure that their
5. What are information systems controls? information systems are used in an ethical
6. What is the relationship between computer manner?
hardware and computer software? 3. Business information technology is evolving at an
7. Who decides what are data and what is unprecedented pace that can be described by what
information? is called Moore’s law. In 1965, Gordon Moore,
8. Discuss the evolution of programming languages. cofounder of Intel, made the following prediction:
9. What is the difference between an operational Given that the number of transistors per square
database and a data warehouse? inch on integrated circuits has doubled every year
10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of since the integrated circuit was invented, this trend
using twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, and fiber- will continue for the foreseeable future. In
optic cable as media for telecommunications subsequent years, the pace slowed down a bit, but
channels? data density has doubled approximately every 18
11. Under what circumstances would you recommend months, and this is the current definition of
a star network, a bus network, and a ring network? Moore’s law, which Moore himself has blessed.
12. When would you use what-if analysis, sensitivity Most experts, including Moore himself, expect
analysis, goal-seeking analysis, and optimization Moore’s law to hold for at least another two
analysis? decades. How can organizations develop an
13. How would you go about creating an executive information technology structure that can support
information system? their goals when business conditions and
14. What are the most important stages in information technologies are changing so rapidly?
systems development and why?
15. How would you economically justify information
systems controls? Web Assignments
1. One of the student and professional organizations
Interpreting Business News for management information systems is called
AITP: The Association of Information Technology
1. Information technology now accounts for more Professionals. Visit its website at www.aitp.org and
than 40 percent of total business expenditures on learn more about management information
capital equipment in the United States. Whether systems, student membership, and the AITP
this investment has translated into genuine certification program for information technology
productivity gains remains open to debate. For professionals. What does it take to become
over a decade, researchers have been trying to certified?
quantify the benefits from information technology 2. Use a search engine to search for management
investments by analyzing data collected at the information systems jobs. What do the jobs have in
economy level, industry level, firm level, and common? Where are the jobs located?
information systems application level. The results 3. Use a search engine to search for undergraduate
of these studies have been mixed and the term and graduate programs in management
productivity paradox was coined to describe such information systems. Describe the kinds of courses
findings. Why do you think the results of the involved in this program of study.

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