Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which level of management is typically involved with strategic decision-making and organizational strategy in response to business challenges?
Which level of management is typically involved with strategic decision-making and organizational strategy in response to business challenges?
What role does operational management primarily play in a business organization?
What role does operational management primarily play in a business organization?
Which functional area of management is directly concerned with fostering customer and supplier intimacy?
Which functional area of management is directly concerned with fostering customer and supplier intimacy?
In the context of value chain analysis, which of the following is a primary business function?
In the context of value chain analysis, which of the following is a primary business function?
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How does technology impact strategic business objectives?
How does technology impact strategic business objectives?
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What is one of the main objectives of UPS's information systems?
What is one of the main objectives of UPS's information systems?
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How does UPS leverage technology for operational excellence?
How does UPS leverage technology for operational excellence?
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What impact does big data have on UPS's business model?
What impact does big data have on UPS's business model?
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What aspect of the value chain is primarily enhanced by UPS's use of package tracking technology?
What aspect of the value chain is primarily enhanced by UPS's use of package tracking technology?
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How does UPS foster customer and supplier intimacy?
How does UPS foster customer and supplier intimacy?
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What is a primary benefit of achieving operational excellence through information systems?
What is a primary benefit of achieving operational excellence through information systems?
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What is a business model?
What is a business model?
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Which strategic business objective focuses on fostering closer relationships with customers?
Which strategic business objective focuses on fostering closer relationships with customers?
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How do technological advancements impact business models?
How do technological advancements impact business models?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the six strategic business objectives achieved through information systems?
Which of the following is NOT one of the six strategic business objectives achieved through information systems?
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What role does Walmart's Retail Link system play in operational excellence?
What role does Walmart's Retail Link system play in operational excellence?
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Why is customer and supplier intimacy considered a strategic business objective?
Why is customer and supplier intimacy considered a strategic business objective?
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Which company is cited as an example of using information systems to create new products?
Which company is cited as an example of using information systems to create new products?
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What is a key input used by UPS's package tracking system?
What is a key input used by UPS's package tracking system?
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Which technology is essential for UPS to manage its logistics effectively?
Which technology is essential for UPS to manage its logistics effectively?
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What output can be generated from UPS's information systems?
What output can be generated from UPS's information systems?
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Which of the following best describes a business objective addressed by UPS's information systems?
Which of the following best describes a business objective addressed by UPS's information systems?
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How do UPS's technologies align with its business strategy?
How do UPS's technologies align with its business strategy?
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What is one consequence of not having effective tracking systems in place?
What is one consequence of not having effective tracking systems in place?
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How has the investment in information technology changed from 1980 to 2009?
How has the investment in information technology changed from 1980 to 2009?
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What does the interdependence between organizations and information technology imply?
What does the interdependence between organizations and information technology imply?
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Which of the following best describes the organizational dimension of the UPS tracking system?
Which of the following best describes the organizational dimension of the UPS tracking system?
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What type of technology is NOT mentioned as part of UPS's tracking system?
What type of technology is NOT mentioned as part of UPS's tracking system?
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What is the primary function of an information system?
What is the primary function of an information system?
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How is information different from data?
How is information different from data?
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Which component is NOT part of the technology dimension of information systems?
Which component is NOT part of the technology dimension of information systems?
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What does IT infrastructure primarily provide?
What does IT infrastructure primarily provide?
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What can raw data from a supermarket checkout counter be transformed into?
What can raw data from a supermarket checkout counter be transformed into?
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What is a key outcome of effective management of information systems?
What is a key outcome of effective management of information systems?
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Which of the following describes how information systems create value in a business context?
Which of the following describes how information systems create value in a business context?
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Which statement reflects the significance of the business information value chain?
Which statement reflects the significance of the business information value chain?
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What role do managers play in maximizing the benefits provided by information systems?
What role do managers play in maximizing the benefits provided by information systems?
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How do investments in information technology contribute to business success?
How do investments in information technology contribute to business success?
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Which of the following is a primary strategic objective of businesses that invest in information systems?
Which of the following is a primary strategic objective of businesses that invest in information systems?
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How does improved decision-making relate to information systems in businesses?
How does improved decision-making relate to information systems in businesses?
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Walmart's Retail Link system is an example of how information systems can improve which aspect of a business?
Walmart's Retail Link system is an example of how information systems can improve which aspect of a business?
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Which of the following statements best defines a business model?
Which of the following statements best defines a business model?
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Which company is mentioned as an example of innovating with information systems to create new products?
Which company is mentioned as an example of innovating with information systems to create new products?
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What is one way that fostering customer intimacy can benefit a business?
What is one way that fostering customer intimacy can benefit a business?
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Which strategic objective is commonly achieved by creating new business models using information systems?
Which strategic objective is commonly achieved by creating new business models using information systems?
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What is a common result of achieving operational excellence through information systems?
What is a common result of achieving operational excellence through information systems?
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What is a major consequence of managers relying on incorrect information?
What is a major consequence of managers relying on incorrect information?
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Which of the following correctly illustrates the concept of competitive advantage through information systems?
Which of the following correctly illustrates the concept of competitive advantage through information systems?
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What role do information technologies play in business survival?
What role do information technologies play in business survival?
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Which factor is critical for improving the decision-making process in management?
Which factor is critical for improving the decision-making process in management?
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What is a common misconception about investing in information technology?
What is a common misconception about investing in information technology?
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How does Verizon utilize its information system for management purposes?
How does Verizon utilize its information system for management purposes?
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Which of the following is NOT an example of how information systems help businesses?
Which of the following is NOT an example of how information systems help businesses?
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What could be a potential negative result of poor information management?
What could be a potential negative result of poor information management?
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Study Notes
Management Information Systems
- Organizations use information technology (IT) to compete globally
- UPS uses big data to improve package deliveries (video link provided)
- UPS's overnight shipping process is examined in a different video (video link provided)
- UPS's package tracking system's inputs, processing, and outputs are to be discussed
- The technologies UPS uses and how they support its business strategy are to be discussed
- The business objectives of UPS's information systems are to be discussed
- The impacts of IT system failures on UPS are to be discussed
- UPS's tracking system is examined from an organizational, management, and technological perspective
- Information Technology Capital Investment increased from 32% to 52% between 1980 and 2009
Information Technology Capital Investment
- IT investment grew from 32% to 52% of all invested capital between 1980 and 2009 (see figure)
Dimensions of UPS Tracking System
- Organizational: procedures for managing packages, inventory, and information
- Management: Monitoring service levels and costs
- Technology: Utilizing handheld computers, bar-code scanners, networks, and desktop computers
Information Systems Technology
- Computer hardware and software
- Data management technology
- Networking and telecommunication technology (networks, internet, intranets, extranets, World Wide Web)
- IT infrastructure: platform for all systems
Information Systems
- A set of interrelated components that includes collecting, processing, storing, and distributing information; and supporting decision making, coordination, and control
- Data are streams of raw facts; information is data shaped into a meaningful form
Data and Information
- Illustrative example: Raw data from a supermarket can be processed and organized to provide meaningful information (like total unit sales of a specific product or total sales revenue)
Three Activities
- Input: Capture raw data from internal or external sources
- Processing: Transforming raw data into a meaningful format
- Output: Delivering processed information to users
Feedback
- Output returned to appropriate organizational members to evaluate or correct initial input
Computer/Computer Program vs. Information System
- Computers and software are technical foundations and tools, similar to materials and tools used for building a structure
Functions of an Information System
- Input, processing(classify, arrange, calculate), output from an organization's information system, plus feedback to manage this cycle, with the surrounding environment (suppliers, customers, stockholders, competitors, and regulatory agencies)
Levels in a Firm
- Organizational hierarchies consist of senior management, middle management, and operational management
Functional Managers
- Separation of business functions: Each functional area has unique business processes (e.g., sales and marketing, human resources, finance, accounting, manufacturing, and production)
Management Dimension
- Managers establish organizational strategies to handle business challenges
- Managers are evaluated based on performance
- Managers act creatively to create new products, services, and occasionally re-create the organization
Business Perspective on Information Systems
- Information systems are tools for creating value
- Investments in IT lead to increased productivity, revenue, and superior long-term strategic positioning
Business Information Value Chain
- Raw data is improved through stages to become valuable data
- Value of information systems is determined by the efficiency and effectiveness of decisions made, and profitability improved. This enhances efficiency and increases profit.
Role of Information Systems in Business Today
- Businesses invest heavily in IT to achieve six strategic goals: operational excellence, new products and services, customer and supplier intimacy, improved decision making, competitive advantage, and survival
- Improvement in efficiency to raise profit; Information systems are tools to improve profit, with specific examples like Walmart's retail link system.
- New products/services and business models; IT is a key tool to help develop new companies/products/services
- Customer/supplier intimacy; Information systems help firms understand customers and suppliers.
- Improved decision making; Information systems provide accurate information to help managers manage businesses better, prevent mistakes.
- Competitive advantage; IT helps provide superior product performance, products at a lower cost, superior responsiveness.
- Survival; Business survival depends on adopting IT
Survival
- Information technology is necessary for business survival
- Changes in industry and government regulations (e.g., ATMs, regulatory acts like the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) require IT
Investing in Information Technology
- Investing in information technology doesn't guarantee good returns
- Variability in the returns companies receive from IT investments
Factors
- Adopting the right business model
- Investing in complementary assets (organizational and management capital)
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Description
Explore how UPS utilizes information technology to enhance its operations and competitiveness in the global market. This quiz covers various aspects of UPS's tracking systems, IT investments, and the impact of technology failures on their business strategy. Delve into the intricate relationship between technology and organizational management at UPS.
