Introduction to Information Systems
The "Harry Potter" example that leads off this reading provides an excellent example of pre-planning, organized business processes, and the need for flexibility in information systems. Each Potter volume increased the pre-orders exponentially, and Amazon used its prior experiences to create policies and practices designed to improve customer experience. As you will see, business processes are a blueprint for success, supported by technology, information systems, and a range of other required services.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
RQ1-1 What 10 elements are included in the study of IS?
RQ1-2 Are the terms system and subsystem synonymous? Explain your answer.
RQ1-3 A system must have organization, interrelationships, integration, and central objectives. Why must each of these four components be present in a system?
RQ1-4 What are three logical components of a business process? Define the functions of each. How do the components interact with one another?
RQ1-5 Why is the Information System important to the organization?
RQ1-6 What factors distinguish data from information?
RQ1-7 Refer to Figure 1.5 (page 14). Characterize the horizontal information flows and the vertical information flows.
RQ1-8 What are the qualities of information presented in this chapter? Explain each quality in your own words and give an example of each.
RQ1-9 What three roles can a business professional fill in relation to the IS? Describe them.