Chapter 1: Summary book

Question 1

Definition of Information system

Answer 1

• IS is the study of complementary networks of hardware and software that people and organizations use to collect filter, process, create, and distribute data.
• IS are combinations of hardware, software, and telecommunications networks that people build and use to collect, create, and distribute useful data, typically in organizational settings.
• IS are interrelated components working together to collect, process, store, and disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis, and visualization in an organization.

Question 2

What are the 5 components of IS

Answer 2

hardware, software, data, people, and process.

Question 3

Which components can be combined under Technology?

Answer 3

Hardware, software, data

Question 4

What is technology

Answer 4

Technology can be thought of as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, e.g. invention of the wheel to harnessing of electricity for artificial lighting. It is often the backbone of organisations.

Question 5

What is hardware

Answer 5

physical components (e.g. computer / iPad/ Mobile)

Question 6

What is software

Answer 6

set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. Not tangible and there are two types: operating-system software (Windows, Android) and application software (e.g. Excel, Chrome)

Question 7

What is data

Answer 7

Collection of facts that is intangible (e.g. street address, phone number). Pieces of data are not useful, but aggregated, index and organized together into a database, data can become a powerful tool for businesses. Used for decision making.

Question 8

What is a process

Answer 8

a series of steps undertaken to achieve a desired outcome or goal. Integration with organizational processes provides better productivity and control of processes.

Question 9

What is the role of information systems

Answer 9

the 5 mentioned components collect, store, organize, and distribute data throughout the organization. They transform data into information and then in organizational knowledge.

Question 10

Competitive advantage IS

Answer 10

The assumption is yes. It can bring efficiency to process but also enables organizations to explore new possibilities. E.G suppliers link of inventory (Wal-Mart). Nicholas Carr’s article ‘It Doesn’t Matter’ in the Harvard Business Review is against the assumption and stated that “IT should be managed to reduce costs, ensure that it is always running, and be as risk-free as possible”.