12.1 Main role of IT Flashcards
1
Q
The role of information systems in org:
A
- Org need info systems to enable them to capture and generate the info that managers need for planning, control and decision-making
2
Q
IT is becoming a
A
- strategic weapon which many org are using to improve their competitive position
- using IT can improve efficiency and reduce costs in order to compete better
- it can help the org react more quickly to changing environment or it can create new opportunities
3
Q
Definition of information systems (IS):
A
- refers to the provision and management of info to support the running of the org
4
Q
Definition of information technology (IT):
A
- is the supporting equipment (hardware) that provides the infrastructure to run the information systems
5
Q
Definition of the IT function:
A
- is responsible for planning, evaluating, installing, operating and maintaining the hardware, software, networks and data centres required by the org
6
Q
Definition of a management information system (MIS):
A
- converts internal and external data into useful info which is then communicated to managers at all levels and across all functions to enable them to make timely and effective decisions for planning, directing and controlling activities
7
Q
Key types of MIS:
A
- Executive information system (EIS)
- Decision support system (DSS)
- Transaction processing system (TPS)
- Expert system
8
Q
Executive information system (EIS):
A
- gives senior management access to internal and external info
- info is presented in a flexible, user-friendly, summarised form with the option to drill down to a greater level of detail
9
Q
Decision support system (DSS):
A
- Aids managers in making decisions
- the system predicts the consequences of a number of possible scenarios and the manager then uses their judgement to make the final decision
10
Q
Transaction processing system (TPS):
A
- Mainly used by operational managers to make decisions
- It records all the daily transactions of an org and summarises them so they can be reported on a routine basis
11
Q
Expert system:
A
- hold specialist knowledge and allow non-experts to interrogate them for info, advice and recommended decisions
- can be used at all levels of management
12
Q
When it comes to knowledge there is a difference between:
A
- Data - raw facts
- Information - processed, organised data
- Knowledge - an application of a cognitive process to the info so that it becomes useful
13
Q
There are two broad types of knowledge:
A
- Explicit knowledge - is knowledge the org knows it has, for eg customer info
- Tact knowledge - is personal knowledge and expertise held by people within the org that has not been formally documented
14
Q
Knowledge management is the
A
- process for the acquisition, sharing, retention and utilisation of knowledge
15
Q
IT enables knowledge management between the functions:
A
- In what is increasingly referred to as a knowledge-based economy, it is evident that sufficient management attention should be given to this valuable org asset
- Org hold a huge volume and variety of info in different systems and people and therefore a knowledge management strategy is needed to unlock the value of this asset and improve org performance
- An important part of this strategy will involve a technology-based solution (knowledge management system)
