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Chapter 1 The Importance of MIS
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1-3. There are various definitions of information given c. If no, suggest the possible characteristics of informa-
in this chapter. Out of varying definitions, one thing tion.
that is quite similar is that the quality of information d. “MIS is the most important subject in your business
depends on the quality of data. Accordingly, various school”. “Would you categorize this statement as an
important characteristics of data have also been list- information or data. Give reasons to support your
ed in this chapter (Figure 1-10). answer.
a. State whether the necessary characteristics of data e. If it is data for you, state the facts that should be added
are same as that of information to this statement to make it information.
b. If yes, which characteristic of information do you
weigh more. Why?

Coll abora tion exerCiSe 1

Collaborate with a group of fellow students to answer the following ques- 1-6. Collaboration.
tions. For this exercise, do not meet face to face. Coordinate all of your a. Define collaboration, and explain why it is an impor-
work using email and email attachments only. Your answers should tant skill for business professionals.
reflect the thinking of the entire group, not just one or two individuals. b. Explain how you are using collaboration to
answer these questions. Describe what is working
1-4. Abstract reasoning.
a. Define abstract reasoning, and explain why it is an with regard to your group’s process and what is
important skill for business professionals. not working.
b. Explain how a list of items in inventory and their c. Is the work product of your team better than any
quantity on hand is an abstraction of a physical one of you could have done separately? If not,
inventory. your collaboration is ineffective. If that is the case,
c. Give three other examples of abstractions com- explain why.
monly used in business. d. Does the fact that you cannot meet face to face ham-
d. Explain how Jennifer failed to demonstrate effective per your ability to collaborate? If so, how?
abstract-reasoning skills. e. Explain how Jennifer failed to demonstrate effective
e. Can people increase their abstract-reasoning skills? collaboration skills.
If so, how? If not, why not? f. Can people increase their collaboration skills? If so,
how? If not, why not?
1-5. Systems thinking. 1-7. Experimentation.
a. Define systems thinking, and explain why it is an a. Define experimentation, and explain why it is an
important skill for business professionals. important skill for business professionals.
b. Explain how you would use systems thinking to b. Explain several creative ways you could use experi-
explain why Moore’s Law caused a farmer to dig mentation to answer this question.
up a field of pulpwood trees. Name each of the ele- c. How does the fear of failure influence your willing-
ments in the system, and explain their relationships ness to engage in any of the ideas you identified in
to each other. part b?
c. Give three other examples of the use of systems d. Explain how Jennifer failed to demonstrate effective
thinking with regard to consequences of Bell’s Law, experimentation skills.
Moore’s Law, or Metcalfe’s Law. e. Can people increase their willingness to take risks?
d. Explain how Jennifer failed to demonstrate effective If so, how? If not, why not?
systems-thinking skills.
e. Can people improve their systems-thinking skills? If 1-8. Job security.
so, how? If not, why not? a. State the text’s definition of job security.