Week One

Question 1

1. What are business processes?

Answer 1

a series of steps performed by a group within an organization that may represent assets or liabilities to achieve a specific task

Question 2

2. What is a business function?

Answer 2

A business function refers to specific activities within an organization, such as human resources (HR), finance, and marketing, each of which plays a vital role in the organization’s operations.

Question 3

3. What does Information Technology (IT) encompass?

Answer 3

IT encompasses the hardware and software used for managing and processing information, including computers, storage devices, and operating systems.

Question 4

6.What are the different levels of management in an organization?

Answer 4

Senior Management: Makes long-range decisions regarding products and services and ensures financial performance (e.g., President, VP).

Middle Management: Implements programs and plans set by senior management (e.g., Deans, Associate Chairs).

Operational Management: Monitors daily business activities (e.g., Teachers, Librarians).

Question 5

7.What are the contemporary approaches to understanding information systems?

Answer 5

technical approach, the behavioral approach, and the sociotechnical approach.

Question 6

9.What are the components of IT infrastructure?

Answer 6

IT infrastructure comprises physical hardware, software, networking, and data storage components.

Question 7

10.What is the business perspective on information systems?

Answer 7

The business perspective highlights the organizational and managerial nature of IS, emphasizing the need for efficient processes and management innovation to derive value from IS investments.

Question 8

11.What impact does globalization have on business operations?

Answer 8

Globalization reduces operational costs on a global scale, increasing trade and competition.

Question 9

12.What is the sociotechnical view of information systems?

Answer 9

The sociotechnical view recognizes the interaction between people and technology in workplaces.

Question 10

14.What are the functions of information systems?

Answer 10

The functions of information systems include input (data collection), processing (data transformation), output (information distribution), and feedback (evaluation and correction).

Question 11

15.What is the role of management information systems (MIS)?

Answer 11

• Provides reports on firm’s current performance, based on data from TPS
• Provide answers to routine questions with predefined procedure for
  answering them

(serves middle management)