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Chapter 1 Information Systems in Global Business Today 63
Key Terms
Business functions, 49 Information technology (IT) infrastructure, 51
Business model, 43 Input, 46
Business processes, 41 Internet, 51
Complementary assets, 57 Intranets, 51
Computer hardware, 51 Knowledge workers, 49
Computer literacy, 48 Management information systems (MIS), 48
Computer software, 51 Middle management, 49
Culture, 50 Network, 51
Data, 45 Networking and telecommunications technology, 51
Data management technology, 51 Operational management, 49
Data workers, 49 Organizational and management capital, 57
Digital firm, 41 Output, 46
Extranets, 51 Processing, 46
Feedback, 46 Production or service workers, 49
Information, 45 Senior management, 49
Information system, 45 Sociotechnical view, 60
Information systems literacy, 48 World Wide Web, 51
Information technology (IT), 45
Review Questions
1. How are information systems transforming • Explain how the Internet and the World Wide
business, and what is their relationship to Web are related to the other technology
globalization? components of information systems.
• Describe how information systems have 4. What are complementary assets? Why are
changed the way businesses operate and their complementary assets essential for ensuring that
products and services. information systems provide genuine value for
• Identify three major new information system an organization?
trends. • Define complementary assets and describe
• Describe the characteristics of a digital firm. their relationship to information technology.
• Describe the challenges and opportunities of • Describe the complementary social, manage-
globalization in a “flattened” world. rial, and organizational assets required to
optimize returns from information technology
2. Why are information systems so essential for
investments.
running and managing a business today?
5. What academic disciplines are used to study
• List and describe six reasons why information
information systems? How does each contrib-
systems are so important for business today.
ute to an understanding of information
3. What exactly is an information system? How systems? What is a sociotechnical systems
does it work? What are its management, organi- perspective?
zation, and technology components?
• List and describe each discipline that contrib-
• Define an information system and describe utes to a technical approach to information
the activities it performs. systems.
• List and describe the organizational, manage- • List and describe each discipline that contrib-
ment, and technology dimensions of informa- utes to a behavioral approach to information
tion systems. systems.
• Distinguish between data and information and • Describe the sociotechnical perspective on
between information systems literacy and information systems.
computer literacy.
MIS_13_Ch_01_Global.indd 63 1/17/2013 2:24:26 PM
