Back to course 'BUS206: Management Information Systems'

Topic outline

  • Unit 4: Information Systems and Organization Strategy

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    Strategic MIS is the application of information management in the overall strategy of a business. Many corporations include a Chief Information Officer (CIO) in executive management to implement information systems to be more competitive. What good would it do for a company to create an application that can tell where you are and serve you ads based on your location if it was unable to process that information? Part of the role of the CIO would be to figure out if it is possible to do this now – and if not now, when.

    This unit will examine how information technology and information systems change the way organizations operate. The unit starts by looking at some of the key technological forces that characterize the information age that all firms must consider in their strategic planning. Then, you will learn about the special characteristics and challenges that business-to-business operations face. The unit concludes with an examination of how organizations adapt to technological changes.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 12 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • describe how information systems can provide businesses with competitive advantage;
      • describe how information technology influences Porter's Five Forces and the Value Chain model;
      • identify the different systems needed to support business processes in an organization;
      • understand how information technology combined with business processes can bring an organization competitive advantage;
      • describe each of the different roles that people play in the design, development, and use of information systems;
      • describe the career paths available to those who work with information systems;
      • explain the importance of where the information-systems function is placed in an organization; and
      • describe the different types of users of information systems.

    • 4.1: Information Systems and Strategy

      • book icon
        Does IT Matter? Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        This chapter centers around the idea of the strategic value that information systems can bring to an organization. Pay attention to the arguments around the idea of competitive advantage. After you read, reflect upon the arguments presented about the impact that information technology has on competitive advantage.

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        Business Processes Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        This chapter looks at one way information systems can bring competitive advantage through their effect on business processes. As you read, think about the previous chapter on competitive advantage. How are the two concepts related?

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        The Value Chain and Evaluating the Industry Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        Read these sections on the value chain and Porter's five forces. While you read, think about the impact information technology can have on these concepts.

      • page icon
        Decision Support Systems Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        This video is about one company's decision support system (DSS), which is a computerized program used to analyze data in order to make informed decisions. After you watch, write a paragraph that describes your understanding of the steps to developing a decision support tool. You have now also seen an application of MIS in the workforce. What part of this decision support team inspired you most?

      • forum icon
        Section 4.1 Discussion Forum
        Students must
        Make forum posts: 1

    • 4.2: The People in Information Systems

      • book icon
        The People in Information Systems Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        In this chapter, you will learn about the "people" component of management information systems. As you read, think about the Decision Support Systems video and the importance that each person plays in the success of an organization, not just the successful implementation of the technology.

      • forum icon
        Section 4.2 Discussion Forum
        Students must
        Start discussions: 1

      • Unit 4 Assessment

        • quiz icon
          Unit 4 Assessment Quiz
          Students must
          Receive a grade

          Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

          • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
          • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
          • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.