Business Information Systems 5th Edition Paul Bocij - Solutions

‘The cost of software applications leaves some users no choice but to make illegal copies.’Make a case in favour or against this argument.
Are file sharing services harming the music and entertainment industries? Consider services that allow people to download music legally, as well as services associated with music, video and software piracy.
Is there a digital divide?
Discuss changes in employment patterns brought about by increased levels of automation and the introduction of computer-based information systems.
What are some of the moral, ethical and professional issues faced by the managers of information systems? Illustrate your answer with relevant examples.
Using relevant examples, critically review the major pieces of legislation relevant to the ways in which organisations use computer-based information systems. Your discussion should refer to areas such as copyright, unauthorised access, the use of personal data and any other relevant issues.
The Data Protection Act 1988 regulates the ways in which organisations may gather, store, process and disclose personal information. You are required to:(a) describe the principles upon which the Act is based;(b) discuss some of the responsibilities placed on organisations by the Act;(c) critically
The ability of computer-based information systems to store, process and retrieve data quickly and efficiently raises concerns related to the privacy of individuals. You are required to:(a) explain the meaning of ‘personal privacy’;(b) describe some of the ways in which technology can allow an
Members of associations, such as the British Computer Society, are required to abide by a professional code of conduct.(a) describe the areas that a professional code of conduct is likely to include;(b) using relevant examples, discuss some of the ways in which a manager’s ethical and
distinguish between data, information and knowledge;
describe and evaluate information quality in terms of its characteristics;
classify decisions by type and organisational level;
identify the information needed to support decisions made at different organisational levels;
identify some of the tools and techniques used to help make decisions.
What are the three dimensions of information quality?
How can the value of information be measured?
What are the stages involved in making a decision?
How will a manager’s cognitive style affect the decisions he or she makes?
Explain how the concept of knowledge management relates to data and information.
What differences in perspective about managerial decision making are introduced by the e-business concept?
In brief, what is knowledge?
Some people argue that employees should be restricted in terms of the information they have access to in the course of their duties. Others argue that they are able to work more efficiently if they have access to all of an organisation’s information resources. Using relevant examples, make a case
It has been said that decision needs should determine information needs. Is this always true or is there a case for an organisation gathering all available data and information?
Select an article of your choice from a newspaper, journal or magazine. Analyse the information contained within the article using concepts related to the attributes of information quality. Use the web links provided at the end of this chapter to locate suitable articles.
‘Knowledge management is nothing new, it is merely a repackaging of existing information management techniques.’ Discuss.
Select an organisation you are familiar with. Identify at least one major decision that the organisation has taken recently. Describe the decision-making process that took place, paying particular attention to the following points:(a) describe how managers became aware that a problem existed and
The survival of a large organisation depends upon access to high-quality information.Discuss this statement, providing relevant examples where necessary.
The Microsoft Corporation is arguably one the most successful company’s in the world.Conduct any research necessary to complete the following tasks:(a) Provide an overview of the company and its activities.(b) Selecting appropriate examples, describe the company’s physical and conceptual
Write a report on how knowledge management could enhance an organisation of your choice.
It is generally agreed that one of the key functions of management is decision making. Using specific examples, you are required to:(a) describe the types of decisions that managers are required to take;(b) explain the stages involved in making a decision;(c) describe the characteristics of
An understanding of the nature of information is fundamental to the study of information systems. Using specific examples, you are required to:(a) define information;(b) describe the characteristics that will be present in information of high quality;(c) describe how the value of information can be
Information can be transmitted via formal and informal means. Using specific examples, you are required to:(a) describe the advantages and disadvantages of each method;(b) discuss each method in terms of the attributes of information quality that are likely to be present.
In relation to the concept of knowledge management:(a) explain how knowledge differs from information;(b) describe two ways of classifying knowledge;(c) give an example of a business application for each of your answers in (b)
identify systems and their components;
identify and describe the behaviour of systems;
identify types of BIS, distinguishing them by category and the organisational level at which they are used;
describe e-business, e-commerce and ERP and evaluate their relevance to the organisation;
identify basic strategies and methods used to gain competitive advantage through the use of BIS.
Answer the following questions in relation to your college or university:(a) What are the institution’s objectives?(b) Identify a range of typical inputs, processes and outputs.(c) What feedback mechanisms are in place and what kinds of information do they produce?(d) What control mechanisms
In what ways can information systems support a manager’s activities?
How can computer-based information systems help an organisation to achieve a strategic advantage over its competitors?
Match each term to the correct statement(a) input 1 provides information concerning the performance of a system (b) process 2 describes exchanges between the system and its environment (c) output 3 converts raw materials into a finished product (d) feedback 4 contains everything outside of the
What is the virtual value chain?
What are transaction costs?
Explain the reasons for the adoption of enterprise resource planning systems by organisations.
Can each of the following be described as a system? For each item, try to identify at least two inputs, processes and outputs. In addition, what feedback and control mechanisms exist?■ a human being;■ a plant;■ a house;■ a country;■ a computer.
A small company is considering the purchase of a computer and accounting software to help it keep track of its finances. In general, what are the benefits of processing by computer?What other benefits might the company gain by taking this step?
Locate an annual report or article that describes a large organisation, such as a supermarket chain. From the information contained in the annual report, identify and describe the information systems that the company might use.
Discuss the following statement with reference to how an organisation should react to the Internet. ‘Is the Internet a typhoon force, a ten times force, or is it a bit of wind? Or is it a force that fundamentally alters our business?’ (Andy Grove, Chairman of Intel).
‘Enterprise resource planning software is likely to replace packages used in a single area of the organisation, such as accounting, logistics, production and marketing.’ Discuss.
Use the Internet to research the SABRE system produced by American Airlines. This system demonstrates how BIS can be used to gain strategic advantage. Provide an analysis of this system. Your response should include discussion of the following areas:(a) Describe how the overall approach adopted by
Select an organisation you are familiar with. You may choose a department within a large organisation, if you wish. Analyse the structure and behaviour of the organisation using systems concepts. Your response should include the following elements:(a) Identify and describe at least two examples of
Draw a diagram illustrating the subsystems occurring in a hospital. Label the inputs and outputs of each subsystem. Which subsystems are most closely coupled?
Do you believe that the advantages of enterprise resource planning applications outweigh their disadvantages? Illustrate your answer with reference to company examples.
Information systems play a critical part in supporting a company’s activities. Using specific examples, you are required to:(a) define an information system;(b) describe the categories of computer-based information systems, providing relevant business examples for each category identified;(c)
Computer-based information systems are critical to an organisation’s survival in the modern competitive environment. Discuss this statement with reference to the following:(a) Porter’s competitive forces model and the basic competitive strategies that can be used to gain advantage;(b) how
Large retail organisations employ a wide variety of computer-based information systems in order to support their activities. Considering a large supermarket chain, such as Sainsbury’s, you are required to:(a) define the term ‘computer-based information system’;(b) identify the types of
Draw a diagram illustrating the main components of a generic system.
Explain why feedback and control are important in business information systems.
Define an enterprise resource planning application. Name two main disadvantages of this type of approach.
categorise the type of computer system that a business uses;
recognise the different components of a computer;
explain the purpose of software applications in different categories;
describe the features found in a variety of modern applications software packages;
identify some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with a variety of common applications;
describe some of the ways in which applications software supports the activities of a business organisation.
In addition to ‘Smart Pause’, describe at least three other features offered by devices with eye tracking technology.
In terms of developing more powerful tablets, why are advances in battery technology just as important as advances in microprocessor technology?
Which type of printing technology is best suited to the production of the following documents?(a) a business letter(b) a program listing(c) a chart or diagram, printed in colour(d) an internal memorandum(e) an engineering diagram.
Which input device is best suited to the following tasks?(a) entering the details of bank cheques(b) entering data from multiple-choice test papers(c) entering data from labels or price tags(d) entering a diagram, picture or photograph(e) entering the text of a letter
Describe some of the major characteristics of mainframes, minicomputers and personal computers.
How can network computers help to reduce the cost of ownership?
List at least three common pointing devices.
What is the meaning of each abbreviation or acronym listed below? Provide a brief explanation for each of the items listed.(a) MICR (f) OCR(b) RAM (g) COM(c) BIOS (h) PDA(d) CD-ROM (i) ROM(e) CPU (j) DVD
What are some of the benefits of flash drives?
Produce your own definitions of the following terms:(a) software(b) operating system(c) graphical user interface(d) productivity software(e) personal information manager.
Describe the different approaches to file processing. What are the major characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each?
Will network computers and thin clients make personal computers obsolete? Using relevant examples, make a case for one side of this argument.
You intend to purchase a personal computer to help with your studies. You have decided to create a weighted ranking table to help you choose a suitable system. What criteria should be used for selection and how should each item be weighted?
Despite still being functional, an obsolete computer system is of little value to a business organisation. Organisations should continually upgrade or replace systems in order to keep abreast of changes in technology. Make a case in favour of or against this argument.
‘The results from search engines cannot be relied upon.’ Carry out any additional research you need in order to discuss whether or not you think this statement is true.
Why do you think XML is considered to be of great importance to business organisations?
How is convergence affecting home entertainment and personal communications?
You have been asked to produce a guide to buying a personal computer by a fellow student on your course. The student has a budget for hardware of £1000. Avoiding technical terms as far as possible, produce a guide that addresses the following:(a) Produce a detailed specification for a personal
Voice recognition systems have begun to gain popularity with both business and home users.However, such systems still suffer from a number of limitations that restrict their overall effectiveness. Conduct any research necessary to produce a report that addresses the following tasks:(a) Provide an
Select two competing software packages as the basis for a detailed comparison. Produce a report that addresses the following tasks:(a) Using relevant examples, describe the major features of each package.(b) Considering the range of features offered by each package, indicate how these might be of
Conduct any required research and produce a report that addresses the following tasks:(a) Provide an overview of how organisations can conduct business transactions over the Internet.(b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the Internet as a business tool.(c) Issues related to security
As a student, you are required to produce essays and reports containing graphics, diagrams and charts. You may also be required to take part in seminars and presentations. As your course progresses you are likely to recognise a need to store information obtained through research. Produce a report
Discuss the use of specialised software for the Internet in terms of its value to business organisations. Refer to applications such as meta-search engines and intelligent agents in your response.
What are the challenges and benefits of RFID technology for supermarkets? Illustrate your response with appropriate examples.
A small business organisation wishes to purchase a number of personal computers and has issued a tender document to a number of suppliers. Using relevant examples, provide an overview of the technical, support and cost issues that should be considered when evaluating supplier proposals.
A modern supermarket will make extensive use of technology to support all of its activities.Considering an organisation such as ASDA or Sainsbury’s, describe the range of input,output, storage and processing devices that might be used within a typical branch. For each item identified, provide a
Considering a typical IBM-compatible personal computer, you are required to:(a) Identify the main components of a personal computer system. For each item identified, provide a brief description of its purpose.(b) Using relevant examples, describe some of the methods that can be used to assess the
Interest in commercial uses for the Internet has grown rapidly over the past five years. You are required to carry out the following tasks:(a) Using relevant examples, describe the range of business applications to which the Internet can be applied.(b) Using relevant examples, discuss the costs,
You have been approached for advice by the manager of a small company. The manager wishes to purchase a number of software packages in order to improve the productivity of staff.Prepare a guide that can be used by the manager when selecting appropriate applications.
Groupware improves productivity, enhances communication and reduces costs. Using relevant examples, provide a balanced discussion of this statement.
How can mobile devices, such as tablets, support relief work following a natural disaster?
understand the use of database application software;
describe the need for business intelligence systems;
understand the concept of a data warehouse and describe alternative architectures for a data warehouse;

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Business Information Systems 5th Edition Paul Bocij - Solutions

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