12.2 IT infrastructure Flashcards
1
Q
IT infrastructure consists of
A
- the core networks, databases, software, hardware and procedures managed by the IT function
- the modernisation of IT infrastructure is necessary to take advantage of innovations such as data visualisation, AI and blockchain, which will all require the analysis of huge amounts of data
2
Q
Ways of organising and managing IS in the context of the wider org including:
A
- The emergence of new tech
- Enabling transformation
- Geographically dispersed teams
- Enhancing internal and external relationships
- Ethical and social issues with IS and data
3
Q
The emergence of new technology
A
- is allowing org to do more than they have in the past
- however many org struggle with the pace, having to constantly react rather than lead with tech innovation
4
Q
There are a number of factors that influence the extent and pace of technology adoption by org:
A
- Technical feasibility
- The cost of developing, implementing and maintaining the new tech
- The economic benefits of the new tech
- the availability of labour skills to implement and use the new tech
- Regulatory and social acceptance
5
Q
By implementing and up to date and flexible IT infrastructure the org can manage these factors -
A
- Enabling technical feasibility, minimising costs, and maximising economic benefit and having the appropriate labour skills present
- Thus allowing them to embrace new tech and the opportunities it presents
6
Q
Technology is seen as a key component of
A
- bus transformation
- org are at different stages of their digital transformation but having a good IT infrastructure in place can enable org transformation
7
Q
This transformation can happen in a variety of ways:
A
- The adoption of new ways of working across the business and the industry
- Productivity improvements
- Multi source data capture and analysis
- The creation of shared service capability
- Digitization of information
- Flexible working practices
- Virtual organisations
8
Q
Geographically dispersed teams
A
- Technological developments have enabled the creation of new ways of working
- Two main changes include an increase in:
- Remote working
- Virtual teams
9
Q
Advantages of remote working:
A
- Lower infrastructure costs
- Increased employee motivation and productivity
- Increased commitment to the org
- Attracting individuals because of the availability of these conditions
- Reduced absenteeism and staff turnover
10
Q
Disadvantages of remote working:
A
- Difficulties in coordinating staff
- Loss of control of staff
- Dilution of org culture
- Less commitment to the org
- Extra labour costs (eg: providing equipment)
11
Q
Virtual organisations occur when:
A
- some or all the functions are outsourced to third parties and the org simply exists as a network of contracts (very few, if any, functions kept in house)
- info technology is a vital requirement
- they usually have lower overhead costs
- usually more flexible
12
Q
A virtual team is a:
A
- group of people who interact through independent tasks guided by a common purpose and work across space, time and organisational boundaries with links strengthened by IT
- virtual teams are a key component of virtual org
- they are essentially teams of people who are not present in the same office or org
13
Q
Challenges of virtual teams:
A
- Forming a team - may be difficult to establish a cohesive and trusting team
- Knowledge sharing - may be more difficult due to no face to face contact
- Processes and goals - may be more difficult to establish clear decision making processes and goals
- Leadership - may be more difficult as individuals will be working at different times, in different locations and in different ways
- Cultural differences - between team members may make working together more difficult
- Morale - some may find this way of working isolating
14
Q
The challenges faced by virtual teams can be overcome by:
A
- training in tech and teamwork
- spending time getting to know each other
- clear roles and responsibilities
- detailed and timely feedback between the leader and team members
- regular and predictable communication
- paying attention to cultural differences
- choosing dependable and self reliant employees
- valued staff should be made to feel wanted and a sense of loyalty to the org instilled
- emphasis of managers may need to be on coordination rather than leadership
- clear communication from higher up in the org to ensure employees are fully informed and share the org vision
15
Q
Enhancing internal and external relationships:
A
- Info systems provide an opportunity to build stronger relationships with stakeholders and to improve internal efficiency by providing convenient, easy to use, communication channels
- Eg: intranets, extranets, shared databases
