Introduction to Competitive Advantage in Information Systems

As you read, think about how using, protecting, and managing information and data could support an organization's competitive advantage. Conversely, failure to protect data, particularly personal information, could reduce or destroy any competitive advantage within a business. How does understanding customer information and data support current operations? How might it impact future operations?

Where Does Data Come From?

QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES

  1. Why would a firm use a loyalty card? What is the incentive for the firm? What is the incentive for consumers to opt in and use loyalty cards? What kinds of strategic assets can these systems create?
  2. In what ways does Tesco gather data? Can other firms match this effort? What other assets does Tesco leverage that helps the firm remain among top performing retailers worldwide?
  3. Make a list of the kind of data you might give up when using a cash register, a Web site, or a loyalty card, or when calling a firm's customer support line. How might firms leverage this data to better serve you and improve their performance?
  4. Are you concerned by any of the data-use possibilities that you outlined in prior questions, discussed in this chapter, or that you've otherwise read about or encountered? If you are concerned, why? If not, why not? What might firms, governments, and consumers do to better protect consumers?
  5. What are some of the sources data aggregators tap to collect information?
  6. Privacy laws are in a near constant state of flux. Conduct research to identify the current state of privacy law. Has major legislation recently been proposed or approved? What are the implications for firms operating in effected industries? What are the potential benefits to consumers? Do consumers lose anything from this legislation?
  7. Self-regulation is often proposed as an alternative to legislative efforts. What kinds of efforts would provide "teeth" to self-regulation. Are there steps firms could do to make you believe in their ability to self-regulate? Why or why not?
  8. What is HIPPA? What industry does it impact?
  9. How do international privacy laws differ from U.S. privacy laws?