Tutorial 1 Mastering three Worlds of IT

Question 1

Explain the three categories of IT as distinguished by McAfee (2006)

Answer 1

Function IT, Network IT, Enterprise IT

Question 2

Explain the characteristics of Function IT

Answer 2

FIT
–Technologies that make the execution of standalone tasks more efficient
▪Word processors/spreadsheets/etc
*Enhancing experimentation capacity
*increasing precision

Question 3

Explain the characteristics of Network IT

Answer 3

NIT
–provides a means by which people can communicate with one another
▪Email/Instant messages/blogs/groupware/Zoom
*Facilitating collaboration
*Expressions of judgement
*fostering emergence

Question 4

Explain the characteristics of Enterprise IT

Answer 4

EIT
–restructures interactions among groups of employees or with business partners
▪CRM
–customer relationship management
▪SCM
–supply chain management
*Redesigning business processes
*Standardising workflows
*monitoring activities and events efficiently

Question 5

Why is it useful to have a taxonomy of information systems?

Answer 5

Many abbreviations can lead to even more confusion among non-IT ppl and managers who should select, adopt and exploit technology
o Makes it easier to see connections & patterns -> overlap & niches