Information system problems 2

Chapter #1

1)      What is the difference between information technology and information systems? Describe some of the functions of information systems.

 

Information technology is all of the hardware and software. This mechanism is really complex. For example, there are microprocessor, semiconductor, Windows or Linux operating system and mobile device. On the other hand, information system is kind of concept of management structure. This system is divided by organization, management, and technology.  This system supports decision making, coordination, analyzing problems, visualizing complex subjects and creating new products. The big difference is that an information system contains data about people, places, and things. This information system can be shaped into a form that is meaningful and useful to human beings.

Chapter #2

2)      Describe the role of IT governance within the firm. Explain.

 

These are quoted from Website concerning IT governance.

 

1. Establishes chains of responsibility, authority, and communication (decision rights)

2. Establishes measurement, policy, standards, and control mechanisms to enable people to carry out their roles and responsibilities

(http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/dec07/mueller_phillipson/index.html)

 

No.1 is static views of IT governance. Before management takes an action, it needs to visualize its concept.  Responsible Accountable Consulted Informed (RACI) is often treated as the standard.

No.2 is dynamic views of IT governance. Companies define their policy at first and then they will implement their task. In the process, they will revise and reinforce their policy and implement the task again. This routine work will be better as IT governance.

  Above all, we can understand how these quotations are important.

Chapter #3

3)      Value chain analysis is useful at the business level to highlight specific activities in the business where information systems are most likely to have a strategic impact. Discuss this model, identify the activities, and describe how the model can be applied to the concept of information technology.

 

The most common two system applications are Supply chain management systems and Customer relationship management systems. Both of them consist of support activities and primary activities. Thanks to these systems, management can analyze more specifically. For example, as their main measure of strategic analysis, they use Benchmarking and Best practice.

Chapter #4

4)      What are the steps in conducting an ethical analysis? Explain.

 

There are five steps that should help for ethical issues.

 

1, Identify and describe clearly the facts

2, Define the conflict or dilemma and identify the higher-order values involved.

3, Identify the stakeholders

4, Identify the opinions that you can reasonably take.

5, Identify the potential consequences of your opinions.

 

Basically, these steps look like common concepts of managerial strategy. In many instances,

 

“You will be surprised at the errors in the initially reported facts, and often you will find that simply getting the facts straight helps define the solution. It also helps to get the opposing parties involved in an ethical dilemma to agree on the facts.”(Management information systems, Kenneth C. Laudon, P159)

 

This makes sense as ethical dilemma. However, No.3, concerning about stakeholder, has a lot of aspects. There are political issues, social issues, and ethical issues.  Stockholders will not only think about the matter of stock price but also the reputation of the company. The reputation of the company influences a stakeholder’s decision. The decision also will affect the stock price.

Chapter  #5

5)      Explain why standards are so important in information technology? What standards have been important for the growth of Internet technologies? Explain.

 

Standards enable us to cooperate with other companies and make compatibility of information technology systems between companies. This specification defines the rules of business and makes it clear for stakeholders.  This standard is similar to global standards of global business. Global business needs to follow the standard when they do world-wide business. The way of thinking is the same as the standard of information technology. Today, there are many issues of copyright and property.  China abuses these kinds of matters. This means the issue of information technology is already a global issue because of the internet. We need to think about both standards for our business.