Open University of Mauritius

CEMBA [OUpm003]
CEMPA [OUpm004]
MBA GENERAL [OUpm005]
MBA SPECIALISATION [OUpm006]
MBA EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP [OUpm007]

EXAMINATIONS FOR: May/June 2017

MODULE: Managing Information Systems

[OUpm0031101/OUpm0041101/OUpm0051101
OUpm0061101/OUpm0071101]

DURATION: 3 Hours

READING TIME: 15 Minutes

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. This paper consists of FIVE Questions

2. All questions carry equal marks.

3. Answer ANY FOUR (4) questions out of FIVE

4. Always start a new question on a fresh page.

5. Total marks: 100.

This question paper contains 5 questions and 4 pages.

Page 1 of 4
 ANSWER ANY 4 QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1 [25 MARKS]

a) List any 5 functional areas of a business.

Describe the Information Systems serving each of the functional areas.

(10 marks)

b) Describe, using appropriate examples, the 3 main categories of

organisational levels.
(9 marks)

c) Describe the types and importance of Information Systems that each

organisation level may require.
(6 marks)

QUESTION 2 [25 MARKS]

a) Describe, with appropriate examples, three (3) different categories of

businesses.
(6 marks)

b) E-commerce and E-business are two terms which are often used
interchangeably, but have different meanings. Describe their similarities
and differences.
(6 marks)

c) ‘Global e-commerce is booming thanks to emerging markets’, Nadine

Devisch. Discuss
(8 marks)

d) Describe, with appropriate diagrams, the 4 layers of Internet Economy.

(5 marks)

Page 2 of 4
QUESTION 3 [25 MARKS]

a) Describe, using an appropriate example, the three essential

characteristics of Strategic Information Systems.
(6 marks)

b) Define the term Strategic Information System Planning (SISP)

(2 marks)

c) The block diagram of a Strategic Information System Planning is given

below. Describe the four (4) key stages of the SISP system. Include
appropriate examples where necessary.

(8 marks)

d) ‘Strategic planning is significant for emerging business models’. Discuss.

(9 marks)

Page 3 of 4
QUESTION 4 [25 MARKS]

a) Describe five technology and business trends that have enhanced the role
and importance of Information Systems in the world of business.

(10 marks)

b) Define, with appropriate examples, the following terms:

(i) Virtual Organisation

(ii) Outsourcing
(4 marks)

c) ‘A virtual organisation cannot be sustained without outsourcing’. Discuss

(6 marks)

d) ‘Mauritius is currently witnessing a major transition as Business Process

Outsourcing and other IT enabled services are being targeted as the next
major pillar of the economy. Many multinational companies are currently
using the island as a delivery centre for their global businesses’. Discuss.

Your answer must be well structured.

(5 marks)

QUESTION 5 [25 MARKS]

a) Define the term Virtual Markets Ecosystems and name its four (4) distinct
stages.
(3 marks)

b) Describe the leadership, cooperative and competitive challenges for each

ecosystem stage. Your answer should be well structured.
(12 marks)

c) Compare and contrast between ‘Traditional Collaboration’ and ‘

Co-evolution’ in a workplace.
(10 marks)

Page 4 of 4