Chapter 1 - Discussion Question

1) How can information technology support a company’s business processes

and decision making and give it a competitive advantage? Give example to
illustrate your answer.

In an organization number of transactions occurs every day. It’s almost

impossible to keep the record of these transactions manually. So in order to
keep the systematic record of day to day transaction, considering the value of
time, in the most accurate form, organizations use Information Technology.
Use of information Technology has made a workplace more productive and
scientific. During the entire business process from dealing with supplier to
reaching a costumer, information technology plays a very important role to
make things happen smoothly. Business decisions are based on the data’s and
information provided to decision makers and information technology ensures
the accuracy and reliability of the information collected. In this competitive
business environment it’s very important that decisions taken are as per the
scenario and in the favor of organization considering the competitors around so
here we can see the direct impact of information technology in decision
making. Through the use of information technology, data’s and information are
to be collected and are to be supplied to all the sectors of organization as per
the importance. Decision making department uses these data’s to evaluate the
performance of organization and all the plans and policies are made as per the
information and data’s provided. If the decision making department is provided
the accurate data then the department takes the appropriate policy and plans
as per the need of the situation. When the decisions are taken, through the
use of information technology they can be implemented effectively and also it
becomes easy to control the decision, since outcomes of decision can be
monitored systematically. This way efficiency of the decision becomes more.
When your decisions are appropriate and efficient, you can be able to face the
competition with appropriate strategies to win the war.
2) How does the use of internet, Intranets and extranets by companies
today support their business processes and activities?
Directly or indirectly organizations have been using intranets and extranets in
order to support their business activities since so long. Intranet is the
communication network inside the organization, which provides information
about what is happening inside the organization. Its about knowing
yourself.Extarnet is about communication network among various stakeholders
who are not exactly in the organization but are related to....... click below to
read all answers.
Organization in some ways. Extranet provides information about suppliers,
customers and competitors which facilitates the process of planning and
decision making. Organizations used to decide and perform as per the
information collected through these two different networks. And now, past 10
years internet has been one of the most important sources of information for
the organization to operate in this global environment. Internet has made it
possible to know about everything going around the globe, sitting in the couch.
Internet has made the business easier. Websites, blogs, email and many more,
collecting information was never so easy before. Today to know about
 Microsoft Inc. you shouldn’t visit America. Besides, because of use of internet
we are able to know about what are the recent business trends, what are our
competitors doing ,where’s our business heading and lot more so that we can
manage and plan our activities as per all these things. Organizations are using
internet in their every aspect, from production to promotion.
4) Why do big companies still fail in their use of information technology? What
should they be doing differently?
When things are big it’s hard to organize them together and adjust all of it in
one single system. Same goes with big organizations. Every department is
distinct and they have their own distinct way of communicating, keeping
records and managing their data’s. Information technology is only effective if
it’s managed to use in a systematic way. Input should be accurate, uniform
and in order to get the accurate output. And in big organizations it’s almost
impossible to make everything uniform. Also in country like ours, where almost
60% of people are unaware about information technology and IT is very
recently brought into practice, big organizations have been following the
certain pattern of doing things manually, and it’s hard to change the habit so
old. Along with all these, Cost factor at the beginning as well restricts the
organizations to implement IT in their business. Neglecting the information
management system as well could be the reason of organizations failure to
make the best use of IT. The things these big organizations needs to consider
making the best of Information technology are as follows:
*Big organizations should start with being more responsible and sensitive
towards data management issues.
*They should divide whole the organization into considerable units of similar
departments, which performs the functions in similar pattern so that it
becomes easy to implement information technology in work.
*Cost factor should be considered since it will be profitable in long run.
*They should be serious towards moving with time and living the people’s
expectations by increasing the quality of their product and services, from the
efficient utilization of information technology.
4) How can a manager demonstrate that he or she is a responsible end
user of information system? Give several examples.

Information’s are the basis of planning, organizing, controlling and decision

making to managers. The main motive of information system is to facilitate
management with effective decision making. Information system is the
storehouse of all the information’s arranged in systematic way which can be
retrieved easily at the time of need. Information system’s responsibility is to
provide accurate information whereas manager using that information is
responsible to make the best out of that information and decide in favor of the
information provided. Keeping the information for future reference and
maintaining its secrecy as per the need as well is the responsibility of manager
using it as end user. If I am the manager, I would be using information system
to know about everything I need to know, in order to perform my obligations.
My responsibility towards that information system I am using it would be,
*To maintain the system and watch out if everything is in order, so as to get
accurate information.
*To be responsible towards the information provided and use it in the best
 possible way to formulate effective plans and policies.
*To maintain the secrecy of the information provided.
*To keep it properly for the future reference and evidence.
*To convey the information in logical way to whom it may concern.
Q5. Understanding the Information System A library makes an excellent information systems
model. It serves as a very large information storage facility with text, audio, and video data
archives. Look up the definitions for each term listed below and briefly explain a library's
equivalents.
a) Input A library's inputs consist of the items it receives for its collection. These items may consist
of books, periodicals, maps, microfiche, DVDs, CDs, and many others. Inputs also consist of
creating and maintaining patron's accounts.
b) Processing A library's main processes revolve around checking out and checking in items from its
collection. Additional processes include adding new items into the collection, purging dated,
duplicate, or damaged items from the collection, photocopying or reproducing materials, and
facilitating inter-library loans, sending overdue notices, assisting patron's accounts, and repairing
damaged items.
c) Output A library's outputs consist of any information that leaves the library. This may take the
form of item loans, photocopies, and even hand-written notes.
d) Storage A library's storage systems include shelves for books, stacks for periodicals, file drawers
for microfiche, hard drives for databases, and racks for CD's and DVD's.
e) Control A library's control systems include periodic inventories, anti-theft devices, and security
cameras.

3) Refer to the real world case on sew what? In the chapter. In the company’s
early years, Megan Duckett lost a major contract because a prospective client
said that without a web site, her business “lacked credibility.”Does this hold
true today for all business? Why or why not?

Business is not just about buying and selling of a product. Moreover it’s about
trust. Costumer should be able to trust you if you are to sell your product.
Costumer trusts you as per the information you provide about yourself and the
way you show responsibility towards them. If your company has a website, it
shows that you are up-to-date with changing time and you are responsible
towards your costumer so that you are considering the convenience of your
costumer .This sense of responsibility can be the basis of trust among you and
your costumer resulting the business relation among the parties.
Today people have many choices. They have many options to go for. The only
reason they will choose you from the many is the trust they have in you. The
more they know about you, more it becomes easy for them to trust you. So,
definitely in today’s complex business environment it matters a lot to have
credibility in order to be successful. If people don’t know about you they won’t
be able to trust you. Also Internet is very convenient that a costumer can use
it from anywhere to get the detail information. So in order to explain yourself
and be familiar to people along with moving with people’s perception and
changing technological advances, it is important to have website today in all
business.

6) Refer to the real world case on Jet blue and the VA in the chapter. How
 could a process be designed such that these domino effects can be avoided or
to some extent controlled? Define your proposal.

Technologies are boon to organizations if they are used and controlled properly
but if they are not looked after properly it can be the matter of failure and loss
to an organization. As in case of JetBlue and Veterans Administration, whole
the system was about to get down making the organization amputated. But we
can’t make the assumption of each and everything that may happen to the
system and get prepared for that. Accidents are inevitable; technologies we
are using may stop functioning any time. In such cases, there is nothing much
we can do if we don’t have a proper back up plan to handle such crisis.

The kind of situation faced by JetBlue and VA cannot totally be prevented but
by following a system of monitoring and control may be we could be more
prepared and confident to face such kind of situations. Technologies are
machines and the software we use in them are their brain, so in order to keep
them fit and fine we need to take very good care of them. Regular updates and
checking the functionality of machines is very important in order to avoid such
accidents. Monitoring the whole system and making a change whenever it
requires it is one of the most important steps in order to avoid such domino
steps. Regular backup practice in an identical and distinct system could be
other options that whatever happens in the interconnection data’s and
information will be safe and can be used later on. Bigger the interconnection,
Harder it is to control it, so may be maintaining a specific interconnection
system, up to which it becomes easy to control is much better.

7) What are some of the toughest management challenges in developing IT

solutions to solve business problems and meet new business opportunities?

Information technology is not something that we once implement and keep on

using it rest of our life. It’s a very dynamic field which keeps on changing. In
today’s era of technological advances where everyday new innovations come to
our knowledge it’s a challenge to move with it. *Management has a challenge
to find out the best technology in order to solve business problems. *There are
several technologies available so it’s very important to find out the most
appropriate technology for the organization as per the nature of work of the
organization.
*Everything comes with price and information technologies are one of the
expensive things to decide for. With the best product Management should also
consider the best price to pay for it as per the financial position of
organization.
*Owning a best information technology is not enough. It’s very much
important to decide where to use it, how to use it, for what to use it and who
to use it.
*Information technologies are a bit complicated to start and hard to
understand the functions first, so management should make the proper
arrangement of human resources to use it.
*Update is required in order to make it reliable so management should
consider about updating it as per the changing time.
8) Why are there so many conceptual classifications of information systems?
Why they are typically integrated in the information systems found in real
world?

There is no any sure and certain way of information system which is perfect to
each and every kind of organizations. Different nature of organizations has
different ways of doing things and keeping the datas.As per the functions
performed in organization information’s are kept in different formats and
order. So there are different conceptual classifications of information systems
which vary as per the size, functions and structure of organization. These
conceptual information systems help the management of the organization to
decide about which system to follow in their organization, considering their
functions, size and structure.

These concepts of information systems are scientific and systematic as well as

effective to use, in order to manage the information’s available in the
organization for the future prospect. In real world organizations need to
analyze and store data’s and information in order to use them at the time of
need so they typically integrate these concepts of information system in their
business so as to have reliable and smooth information management system
which is more favorable to their kind of organization.

9) In what major ways have information systems in business changed during

the last 40 years? What is one major change you think will happen in the next
10 years?
It’s not been so long that information system has been so advanced. Before 40
years organizations were having the traditional way of managing information’s
in written formats, manually. Development of computers made a very
remarkable impact in managing information system. Mainframe computers
were just in existence but they were very expensive that every organization
couldn’t afford it. Only big banks and corporate houses used to use computers
in very limited number. After that mini computers and microcomputers
changed the definition of information system and slowly computers became
information systems. During 80s and 90s lowering cost of personal computers
and their compatible size changed the whole scenario and computers became
the most important aspects of organizations in order to manage the
information system along with overall performance of an organization. During
90s internet came into existence, which included the whole world in a small
box. After that there’s been no looking back. Every year new technologies are
discovered, facilitating the information system to be more reliable, accurate
and efficient.
I think in next 10 years computers would have artificial intelligence as well
which will allow them to think by themselves. Scientists are working on it so
may be in a very near future we would be able to communicate with computers
in more natural ways.

10) Refer to real world example of Hershey Foods in the chapter. Are the failure
and success described due to managerial or technological challenges? Explain.

Basically, failure or success of business cannot be attributed to only one aspect

of organization. Technological and managerial, both aspects of organization are
equally responsible for the position of organization. To be in particular in the
real world example of Hershey Foods, I think its technological challenge which
is much important than managerial challenge, they faced in order to grow up
from an organization to successful organization.

As mentioned in the example, during the initial phase ERP was not as efficient
as it is now. Lots of organizations were having problem with it because they
didn’t know how to use it. At beginning Hershey food as well had problem
using technology in its business as a result they were not doing well. Their
failure could be the result of their weak technological strategy. But later on,
Hershey foods found out the effectiveness of EPS modified it the way they
needed and used it efficiently by upgrading it which helped them to increase
their productivity. They deployed EPS in such an effective way that it reduced
their cost, time of processing and increased the quality of their products by
100%. All this became possible because they Enhanced whole their system
and made it more powerful by including material management invoice
verification along with credit processing for distributors, bringing everything
together in an organized schedule which resulted in better functioning and cost
savings. It was Information Technology that changed whole the picture and
helped them taste the success. So this time as well it was technological
opportunity which helped them rise.

1. How can information technology support a company’s business processes

and decision making and give it a competitive advantage? Give examples to
illustrate your answer. Businesses regularly utilize computer-based information
systems in order to evaluate sales trends, evaluate goods sold, record
inventory levels, restock new merchandise, and pay employees. For example if
a business did not choose to use computer-based information systems, it
would be cumbersome to evaluate what items were selling better than others
cut into their profit margin by manually performing this tedious task.
Information technology can also aid in decision making for a business.
Decisions are made based on analysis provided by computer-based information
systems. For example a business owner may make a determination to
discontinue an item due to analysis of sales trends provided by a business
information system. A competitive advantage is gained through computer-
based information systems by applying the advantages above

NO. 2 2. How does the use of the Internet, intranets, and extranets by companies today support
their business processes and activities? The use of the Internet, intranets, and extranets through e-
business have greatly increased the speed, accuracy, and availability of business processes and
activities. The Internet has allowed the customer simple direct interaction with companies and has
allowed companies an easier flow of processing with more accurate information through e-
commerce. The intranet with those inside the company allows for reporting and feedback to be done
within minutes, even seconds. Reports can be compiled and sent through an organization to be
 reviewed. The extranet with those on the outside of the company can allow automatic responses for
orders received, complaints lodged and the like. All of the processes and activities businesses deal
with on a day to day basis are enhanced because of the systems of e-business

Chapter 1 - Discussion Question

1) How can information technology support a company’s business processes

and decision making and give it a competitive advantage? Give example to
illustrate your answer.

In an organization number of transactions occurs every day. It’s almost

impossible to keep the record of these transactions manually. So in order to
keep the systematic record of day to day transaction, considering the value of
time, in the most accurate form, organizations use Information Technology.
Use of information Technology has made a workplace more productive and
scientific. During the entire business process from dealing with supplier to
reaching a costumer, information technology plays a very important role to
make things happen smoothly. Business decisions are based on the data’s and
information provided to decision makers and information technology ensures
the accuracy and reliability of the information collected. In this competitive
business environment it’s very important that decisions taken are as per the
scenario and in the favor of organization considering the competitors around so
here we can see the direct impact of information technology in decision
making. Through the use of information technology, data’s and information are
to be collected and are to be supplied to all the sectors of organization as per
the importance. Decision making department uses these data’s to evaluate the
performance of organization and all the plans and policies are made as per the
information and data’s provided. If the decision making department is provided
the accurate data then the department takes the appropriate policy and plans
as per the need of the situation. When the decisions are taken, through the
use of information technology they can be implemented effectively and also it
becomes easy to control the decision, since outcomes of decision can be
monitored systematically. This way efficiency of the decision becomes more.
When your decisions are appropriate and efficient, you can be able to face the
competition with appropriate strategies to win the war.

2) How does the use of internet, Intranets and extranets by companies today
support their business processes and activities?

Directly or indirectly organizations have been using intranets and extranets in

order to support their business activities since so long. Intranet is the
communication network inside the organization, which provides information
about what is happening inside the organization. Its about knowing
yourself.Extarnet is about communication network among various stakeholders
who are not exactly in the organization but are related to....... click below to
read all answers.
organization in some ways. Extranet provides information about suppliers,
customers and competitors which facilitates the process of planning and
 decision making. Organizations used to decide and perform as per the
information collected through these two different networks. And now, past 10
years internet has been one of the most important sources of information for
the organization to operate in this global environment. Internet has made it
possible to know about everything going around the globe, sitting in the couch.
Internet has made the business easier. Websites, blogs, email and many more,
collecting information was never so easy before. Today to know about
Microsoft Inc. you shouldn’t visit America. Besides, because of use of internet
we are able to know about what are the recent business trends, what are our
competitors doing ,where’s our business heading and lot more so that we can
manage and plan our activities as per all these things. Organizations are using
internet in their every aspect, from production to promotion.
3) Refer to the real world case on sew what? In the chapter. In the company’s
early years, Megan Duckett lost a major contract because a prospective client
said that without a web site, her business “lacked credibility.”Does this hold
true today for all business? Why or why not?

Business is not just about buying and selling of a product. Moreover it’s about
trust. Costumer should be able to trust you if you are to sell your product.
Costumer trusts you as per the information you provide about yourself and the
way you show responsibility towards them. If your company has a website, it
shows that you are up-to-date with changing time and you are responsible
towards your costumer so that you are considering the convenience of your
costumer .This sense of responsibility can be the basis of trust among you and
your costumer resulting the business relation among the parties.
Today people have many choices. They have many options to go for. The only
reason they will choose you from the many is the trust they have in you. The
more they know about you, more it becomes easy for them to trust you. So,
definitely in today’s complex business environment it matters a lot to have
credibility in order to be successful. If people don’t know about you they won’t
be able to trust you. Also Internet is very convenient that a costumer can use
it from anywhere to get the detail information. So in order to explain yourself
and be familiar to people along with moving with people’s perception and
changing technological advances, it is important to have website today in all
business.

4) Why do big companies still fail in their use of information technology? What
should they be doing differently?

When things are big it’s hard to organize them together and adjust all of it in
one single system. Same goes with big organizations. Every department is
distinct and they have their own distinct way of communicating, keeping
records and managing their data’s. Information technology is only effective if
it’s managed to use in a systematic way. Input should be accurate, uniform
and in order to get the accurate output. And in big organizations it’s almost
impossible to make everything uniform. Also in country like ours, where almost
60% of people are unaware about information technology and IT is very
recently brought into practice, big organizations have been following the
certain pattern of doing things manually, and it’s hard to change the habit so
old. Along with all these, Cost factor at the beginning as well restricts the
 organizations to implement IT in their business. Neglecting the information
management system as well could be the reason of organizations failure to
make the best use of IT. The things these big organizations needs to consider
making the best of Information technology are as follows:

*Big organizations should start with being more responsible and sensitive
towards data management issues.
*They should divide whole the organization into considerable units of similar
departments, which performs the functions in similar pattern so that it
becomes easy to implement information technology in work.
*Cost factor should be considered since it will be profitable in long run.
*They should be serious towards moving with time and living the people’s
expectations by increasing the quality of their product and services, from the
efficient utilization of information technology.

5) How can a manager demonstrate that he or she is a responsible end user of

information system? Give several examples.

Information’s are the basis of planning, organizing, controlling and decision

making to managers. The main motive of information system is to facilitate
management with effective decision making. Information system is the
storehouse of all the information’s arranged in systematic way which can be
retrieved easily at the time of need. Information system’s responsibility is to
provide accurate information whereas manager using that information is
responsible to make the best out of that information and decide in favor of the
information provided. Keeping the information for future reference and
maintaining its secrecy as per the need as well is the responsibility of manager
using it as end user. If I am the manager, I would be using information system
to know about everything I need to know, in order to perform my obligations.
My responsibility towards that information system I am using it would be,
*To maintain the system and watch out if everything is in order, so as to get
accurate information.
*To be responsible towards the information provided and use it in the best
possible way to formulate effective plans and policies.
*To maintain the secrecy of the information provided.
*To keep it properly for the future reference and evidence.
*To convey the information in logical way to whom it may concern.

6) Refer to the real world case on Jet blue and the VA in the chapter. How
could a process be designed such that these domino effects can be avoided or
to some extent controlled? Define your proposal.

Technologies are boon to organizations if they are used and controlled properly
but if they are not looked after properly it can be the matter of failure and loss
to an organization. As in case of JetBlue and Veterans Administration, whole
the system was about to get down making the organization amputated. But we
can’t make the assumption of each and everything that may happen to the
system and get prepared for that. Accidents are inevitable; technologies we
are using may stop functioning any time. In such cases, there is nothing much
we can do if we don’t have a proper back up plan to handle such crisis.
 The kind of situation faced by JetBlue and VA cannot totally be prevented but
by following a system of monitoring and control may be we could be more
prepared and confident to face such kind of situations. Technologies are
machines and the software we use in them are their brain, so in order to keep
them fit and fine we need to take very good care of them. Regular updates and
checking the functionality of machines is very important in order to avoid such
accidents. Monitoring the whole system and making a change whenever it
requires it is one of the most important steps in order to avoid such domino
steps. Regular backup practice in an identical and distinct system could be
other options that whatever happens in the interconnection data’s and
information will be safe and can be used later on. Bigger the interconnection,
Harder it is to control it, so may be maintaining a specific interconnection
system, up to which it becomes easy to control is much better.

7) What are some of the toughest management challenges in developing IT

solutions to solve business problems and meet new business opportunities?

Information technology is not something that we once implement and keep on

using it rest of our life. It’s a very dynamic field which keeps on changing. In
today’s era of technological advances where everyday new innovations come to
our knowledge it’s a challenge to move with it. *Management has a challenge
to find out the best technology in order to solve business problems. *There are
several technologies available so it’s very important to find out the most
appropriate technology for the organization as per the nature of work of the
organization.
*Everything comes with price and information technologies are one of the
expensive things to decide for. With the best product Management should also
consider the best price to pay for it as per the financial position of
organization.
*Owning a best information technology is not enough. It’s very much
important to decide where to use it, how to use it, for what to use it and who
to use it.
*Information technologies are a bit complicated to start and hard to
understand the functions first, so management should make the proper
arrangement of human resources to use it.
*Update is required in order to make it reliable so management should
consider about updating it as per the changing time.

8) Why are there so many conceptual classifications of information systems?

Why they are typically integrated in the information systems found in real
world?

There is no any sure and certain way of information system which is perfect to
each and every kind of organizations. Different nature of organizations has
different ways of doing things and keeping the datas.As per the functions
performed in organization information’s are kept in different formats and
order. So there are different conceptual classifications of information systems
which vary as per the size, functions and structure of organization. These
conceptual information systems help the management of the organization to
 decide about which system to follow in their organization, considering their
functions, size and structure.

These concepts of information systems are scientific and systematic as well as

effective to use, in order to manage the information’s available in the
organization for the future prospect. In real world organizations need to
analyze and store data’s and information in order to use them at the time of
need so they typically integrate these concepts of information system in their
business so as to have reliable and smooth information management system
which is more favorable to their kind of organization.

9) In what major ways have information systems in business changed during

the last 40 years? What is one major change you think will happen in the next
10 years?
It’s not been so long that information system has been so advanced. Before 40
years organizations were having the traditional way of managing information’s
in written formats, manually. Development of computers made a very
remarkable impact in managing information system. Mainframe computers
were just in existence but they were very expensive that every organization
couldn’t afford it. Only big banks and corporate houses used to use computers
in very limited number. After that mini computers and microcomputers
changed the definition of information system and slowly computers became
information systems. During 80s and 90s lowering cost of personal computers
and their compatible size changed the whole scenario and computers became
the most important aspects of organizations in order to manage the
information system along with overall performance of an organization. During
90s internet came into existence, which included the whole world in a small
box. After that there’s been no looking back. Every year new technologies are
discovered, facilitating the information system to be more reliable, accurate
and efficient.
I think in next 10 years computers would have artificial intelligence as well
which will allow them to think by themselves. Scientists are working on it so
may be in a very near future we would be able to communicate with computers
in more natural ways.

10) Refer to real world example of Hershey Foods in the chapter. Are the failure
and success described due to managerial or technological challenges? Explain.

Basically, failure or success of business cannot be attributed to only one aspect

of organization. Technological and managerial, both aspects of organization are
equally responsible for the position of organization. To be in particular in the
real world example of Hershey Foods, I think its technological challenge which
is much important than managerial challenge, they faced in order to grow up
from an organization to successful organization.

As mentioned in the example, during the initial phase ERP was not as efficient
as it is now. Lots of organizations were having problem with it because they
didn’t know how to use it. At beginning Hershey food as well had problem
using technology in its business as a result they were not doing well. Their
failure could be the result of their weak technological strategy. But later on,
Hershey foods found out the effectiveness of EPS modified it the way they
needed and used it efficiently by upgrading it which helped them to increase
their productivity. They deployed EPS in such an effective way that it reduced
their cost, time of processing and increased the quality of their products by
100%. All this became possible because they Enhanced whole their system
and made it more powerful by including material management invoice
verification along with credit processing for distributors, bringing everything
together in an organized schedule which resulted in better functioning and cost
savings. It was Information Technology that changed whole the picture and
helped them taste the success. So this time as well it was technological
opportunity which helped them rise.

2, . How does the use of internet, Intranets, and extranets, by companies today support their
business processes and activities? Having the ability to use these systems enhances the business and
allows them to reach well beyond the horizon. The internet, intranet, and extranet gives them e-
business ability and the ability to enterprise inside and outside the company. Something not
discussed yet in the text is the ability to have cloud storage or software sharing features that allow
collaborative working. Having the ability to exchange information and resource outside the confines
of your business may give your company that extra leverage. A great example is those businesses
that have a human resource center located at a different location than your place of work. The
internet gives you the ability to interface with the human resource center and may even allow you to
change and manage your own work preferences such as pay, time off, and tax range without having
to take in paperwork.

3 Why do big companies still fail in their use of information technology? What should they be
doing differently?Top Five Reasons for Success Top Five Reasons for Failure User involvement
Lack of user input Executive management support Incomplete requirements and specifications
Clear statement of requirements Changing requirements and specifications Proper planning Lack of
executive support Realistic expectations Technological incompetence Certainly the reasons listed in
the table above could account for the major causes of why companies fail in their use of information
technology. However, it is important to note that the field of technology is changing at such a rapid
pace that many large and successful companies are having difficulty keeping up with it. Other ideas
may include such things as a demand for skilled employees in this area; the major expense involved
in managing and developing systems and hardware acquisitions, increased and more aggressive
competition from competitors both domestic and internationally.

Chapter 1
Why do big companies still fail in their use of information technology? What should they be doing
differently? The companies fail in use of Information Technology for a variety of reasons. Some
reasons are mentioned below Software: The information system or software of the company plays
major role in organization success. The software is often out of date. Software upgrades are
essential with the fast growing technology and competitive market. Human Resource: The second
element is human resource which causes company to fail in use of Information Technology. The
newly upgraded or installed software are new to users which takes time to understand and operate
the new software. Managers: The managers must have knowledge of new software and must know
how to install and operate in the department. It’s the duty of manager to carry output from
employees by newly introduced software. The right time to change software: The Company must
identify the time period in the year where they feel the company is not very busy or can have some
extra time to install and implement new software. No solution plan: Companies don’t create a good
solution plan. All businesses should have a good plan to introduce new information technology and
a good plan to maintain it. Proper installation and maintenance is the key to successful
implementation of Information Technology. Security: Managers are failed to maintained security of
the important and operational data. Managers must take care of Company Information and maintain
standards to protect company important data from hackers and cyber criminals through fire walls,
anti-virus and all necessary measures. How can information technology support a company’s
business processes and decision making and give it a competitive advantage? Give examples to
illustrate your answer. Information Technology plays a vital role in modern world. There are so
many different ways that information technology can support a business’s processes and...

5. How can a manager demonstrate that he or she is a responsible end user of information systems?
Give several examples. Students’ answers will vary, however they must realize that information is a
powerful resource that can be used in a variety of inappropriate manners. As a manager or other end
user of information, we all must insure that we consider the ethical responsibilities of the use of
information. For example, uses of information technology might be used in an improper,
irresponsible, or in a harmful way, which can hurt other individuals or even society as a whole.
Information systems must be managed to benefit society while at the same time meet the goals of
the organization. Irresponsible use would include taking advantage of access to confidential data for
personal gain or interest.

6. Refer to the Real World Case on Duke Energy in the chapter. What are some other methods for
introducing e-business into a company? Which do you prefer? Why? Students’ answers will vary,
however business benefits can include both tangible and intangible benefits. Better customer
service, increased profits, greater market penetration, closer and richer communication with
customers and suppliers, faster responses to market trends, more up to date information, attracting
new customers, or reducing costs.
7. What is a major management challenge in developing IT solutions to solve business problems
and meet new e-business opportunities? One only has to pick up any newspaper or business-related
magazine to see a story about some

3. How can a manager demonstrate that he or she is a responsible end user of information systems?
Give several examples. Managers are those that have oversight of business processes and personnel.
Their

7. Input is information that is put into a computer. Because libraries house hundreds of thousands of
journals, books and magazines, libraries had to take advantage of computerization in its early
stages. Millions of pieces of data were input into databases making searching for books, journals,
magazines, etc. easier and more timely. 8. Processing by definition is a running software or other
computing operation. Libraries must process every book received from their vendors prior to
circulation throughout the library system. This involves a software that librarians physically process
the books through so the material can be tracked and located. This is a very time consuming action,
but very necessary. Because of this, some larger libraries set up centralized processing units to
handle the acquisitions, cataloguing, and preparation of materials for different libraries. 9. Output is
the act of production or manufacture. With regards to computer systems in libraries, this means
anything that is generated through a query from a user. The information returned or output, is a
result of the input processed. These queries are used by both librarians and library users. For
example, a library employee would use an output to determine when the borrower can renew a
book, needs to return a book, late fees, etc. A borrower could input an ISBN to locate the exact
location of a book they are looking to check out. 10. Storage is the process of storing information in
a computer systems memory or storing physical inventory. A library systems uses both computer
storage and physical storage to house their massive inventory of information. This involves
Automated Materials Handling Systems and Automated Library Systems, to name a few.