Chapter

1
Foundations of Information Systems in Business

Learning Objectives
Explain

why knowledge of information systems is important for business professionals and identify five key areas of information systems knowledge. Give examples to illustrate how the business applications of information systems can support a firms business processes, managerial decision making, and strategies for competitive advantage.

Learning Objectives (Continued)

Provide

examples of the components of real world information systems. Provide examples of several major types of information systems. Identify several challenges that a business manager might face in managing the successful and ethical development and use of information technology in a business.

Information Systems Framework

Information Systems Concepts (Continued)

Foundation

Concepts Fundamental concepts about the components and roles of information systems. Information Technologies Major concepts, developments, and management issues in information technology.

Information Systems Concepts (Continued)

Business

Applications The major uses of information systems for operations, management, and competitive advantage. Development Processes How business professionals and information specialists plan, develop, and implement information systems. Management Challenges The challenge of managing ethically and effectively.

What IS a system?
A

group of interrelated or interacting elements forming a unified whole, OR A group of interrelated components working together toward a common goal by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation process (dynamic system). Three basic interacting components:
Input
Processing Output

(transformation process)

Add Feedback and Control Loops..

the system, now called a cybernetic system, becomes even more useful. Self-monitoring Self-regulating

Other System Characteristics

system exists and functions in an environment containing other systems. Subsystem a component of a larger system. Systems that share the same environment may be connected to one another through a shared boundary, or interface. Open versus closed system. Adaptive system

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Components of an INFORMATION System

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Components of an Information System (Continued)

People

Resources End Users IS Specialists Hardware Resources Computer systems Peripherals Software Resources System software Application software Procedures

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Components of an Information System (Continued)

Data

Resources Data versus Information Network Resources Communication media Network support

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Data Versus Information

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Section II

Foundation

Concepts: Business Applications, Development, and Management

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Major Roles of IS

Support Competitiv e Advantage Support Business Decision Making

Support of Business Processes and Operations

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Major Roles of IS (continued)

Support

Business Processes Support Decision Making Support Competitive Advantage

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The Present and the Future

use of Internet technologies to internetwork and empower Business processes Electronic commerce, and Enterprise communication & collaboration Within a company & with its customers, suppliers, & other business stakeholders.

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IS in the E-Business Enterprise

business competes globally (whether they realize it or not) IS supports business operations through the use of: Intranets Extranets Internet Other information technologies

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IS in the E-Business Enterprise (continued)

Enterprise

Collaboration Systems Support communication, coordination, & collaboration. Virtual teams Electronic Commerce Buying & selling, and marketing & servicing of products, services, & information.

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Trends in Information Systems

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Types of Information Systems

Support Systems Transaction processing systems Batch transaction data accumulate over time, processed periodically. Real-time data processed immediately after a transaction occurs. Process Control Systems monitor & control physical processes. Enterprise Collaboration Systems

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Types of Information Systems (continued)

Management

Support Systems Management Information Systems prespecified reports & displays to support decision-making. Decision Support Systems provide interactive ad hoc support. Executive Information Systems critical information tailored to the information needs of executives.

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Types of Information Systems (continued)

Other

Classifications Expert systems expert advice Knowledge management systems support the creation, organization, & dissemination of business knowledge Functional business systems support the basic business functions Strategic information systems strategic advantage

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Developing IS Solutions to Business Challenges

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Ethical Challenges
Just

because we can, should we? Where do we draw the line between customer privacy and collecting business information? Do we owe it to society to use this technology wisely and responsibly? Why? Isnt our job to make a profit?

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In Summary, the IS Function

a major functional area of business. Is an important contributor to operational efficiency, employee productivity and morale, and customer service & satisfaction. Is a major source of information and support for decision making. Provides a strategic advantage in developing competitive products & services.

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Discussion Questions
How

can information technology support a companys business processes and decision making, and give it a competitive advantage? How does the use of the Internet, intranets, and extranets by an e-business enterprise support their e-commerce activities? Why do big companies still fail in their use of information technology? What should they be doing differently?

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Discussion Questions (continued)

How

can a manager demonstrate that he or she is a responsible end user of information systems? What are some of the toughest management challenges in developing IT solutions to solve business problems and meet new e-business opportunities? Why are there so many conceptual classifications of information systems? Why are they typically integrated in information systems found in the real world?

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Discussion Questions (continued)

In

what major ways have the roles of information systems applications in business expanded during the last 40 years? What is one major change you think will happen in the next 10 years? Can the business use of Internet technologies help a company gain a competitive advantage?

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Real World Case 1 BellSouth Corporation

understand that ROI is a key component of business decision-making. We also understand the importance of choosing projects that help us achieve business goals.
How

is BellSouth Corporation measuring ROI for technology projects?

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BellSouth (continued)

How

well is IT supporting the business goals of BellSouth? How has IT improved efficiency and effectiveness of BellSouths business processes? How has IT helped BellSouth improve managerial decision-making? How has IT helped BellSouth improve workgroup collaboration?

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BellSouth (continued)

What

resources were used? What activities were performed? What information products were produced?
Explain

BellSouths technology transfer roadmap. What is it? What function does it serve?

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BellSouth (continued)

Is

BellSouths technology transfer map a good way to determine IT investment priorities? Why or why not? What are the strengths of this approach? What are the possible drawbacks to this approach?

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BellSouth (continued)

What

else might BellSouth do to guarantee the strategic business value of potential IT investment projects?

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Real World Case 2 Royal Caribbean International

problems did Tom Murphy encounter?

Why

did the IT group at Royal Caribbean have such poor performance and business status in the company?

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Royal Caribbean (continued)

What

did Murphy do to resolve the IT problems? do you see as the top three factors in Murphys turnaround of the IT function?

What

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Royal Caribbean (continued)

What

does Murphy see as the foundation for change in a diverse workgroup? are Murphys four keys to managing a diverse workforce?

What

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Real World Case 3 Clariant International

has the focus of business managers toward IT projects changed according to this case?

What

factors drove that change in focus?

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Clariant (continued)

How

does the change in focus impact the nearterm future of IT? types of challenges did Clariant encounter? did they resolve those challenges?

What

How

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Clariant (continued)

Are

Web-enabling business processes a cost effective strategy? Always? role did management play in Clariants IT success? management not been involved, would you have expected the same level of success? Why or why not?

What

Had

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Real World Case 4 Hershey Foods Corp.

could Hershey have avoided the failure of its first implementation of their major new IT system?

Did

timing contribute to the problem?

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Hershey Foods (continued)

Do

you see the failure of the first implementation to be a software issue or a project management issue? Why?

Why

did Hersheys major upgrade of that system succeed? it a matter of learning from past mistakes?

Was

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Hershey Foods (continued)

What

did Hershey do differently with the upgrade? do failures in major business/IT projects continue to occur to large companies with so much IT expertise and financial resources?

Why

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Hershey Foods (continued)

What

business pressures contribute to those failures? Internal External might end-user involvement have helped with the implementation process?

How

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Real World Case 5 WH Smith PLC

did WH Smith need a new retail management system? were their goals?

What

How

does the system work?

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WH Smith (continued)

How

well does WH Smiths new CRM system support its business goals? has the staff been included in the process? you believe that including the staff is important? Why?

How

Do

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WH Smith (continued)

In

what other ways could IT help WH Smith support its retail managers, marketers, and customers?