Copyright 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

1 -1 Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.1 ..............................The Importance of MIS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.Explain why Introduction to MIS is the most important class in the business school.

2.Explain how MIS will affect you.

3.Discuss why MIS-related jobs are in high demand.

4.Define “MIS.” 5.Describe your role in IS security.

CHAPTER OUTLINE

▪Why is Introduction to MIS the most important class in the business school?The digital revolution Evolving capabilities Moore’s Law Metcalfe’s Law Other forces pushing digital change This is the most important class in the school of business ▪How will MIS affect me?How can I attain job security?How can Intro to MIS help you learn nonroutine skills?▪Why are MIS-related jobs in high demand?What is the bottom line?▪What is MIS?Components of an information system Management and use of information systems Achieving strategies ▪What is your role in IS security?Strong passwords Password etiquette ▪How does the knowledge in this chapter help you?Learning Catalytics is a "bring your own device" student engagement, assessment, and classroom intelligence system. It allows instructors to engage students in class with real- time diagnostics. Students can use any modern, web-enabled device (smartphone, tablet, Experiencing MIS 7e David Kroenke Randall Boyle (Instructor Manual All Chapters, 100% Original Verified, A+ Grade) All Chapters Instructors Manual Supplement files download link at the end of this file. 1 / 4

Kroenke - Experiencing MIS 7 th Ed - Instructor’s Manual 1-2 Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.or laptop) to access it. For more information on using Learning Catalytics in your course, contact your Pearson Representative.

SO WHAT?

Biggest IPO Ever: Alibaba

• Take a few minutes to browse Alibaba.com and look at some examples of products

that are for sale on the site. What are some of the logistical differences between buying something on Alibaba.com and buying something on Amazon.com?Some of the differences students may notice include: Alibaba functions more as a clearinghouse or middleman, whereas in most cases Amazon sells directly to the consumer. With Alibaba you face uncertainty about the supplier, how the transaction will be processed, the shipping methods used, and the ease/difficulty of getting customer service after the transaction. Amazon shoppers do not face these uncertainties since Amazon supplies the customer service function.

• How has reading this article changed your perception of the difficulty associated with

starting a new business?Student answers will vary. Students are likely to be impressed with the relatively short amount of time it took for Alibaba to grow to its current status. They should also recognize some of the difficulties that have been faced with this business model that the company is still trying to address (e.g., the issue of counterfeit goods).

• Think about companies that currently have high stock prices. Do these companies sell

a product or service, or do they offer something else? How is Alibaba.com similar to or different from these companies?The highest priced stock on the NYSE at present is Berkshire Hathaway, an enormous holding company. Several of the other high priced stocks from IT-based companies include Google and Priceline. Alibaba is similar to Priceline in the sense that both provide a “middleman” service, bringing buyers and sellers together. Google provides IT-based products and services (e.g., search; email).

• What are some of the challenges associated with operating an international business

not discussed in this feature?Several issues not mentioned include currency exchange rate issues; shipping challenges; import/export tariffs and restrictions; varying safety standards; product quality issues; and inspection requirements.

• Think about your own purchasing habits and the buying habits of your

friends/coworkers. Can you identify a product that people need that is available on Alibaba.com? Is there a different Web site on which you could purchase this product for wholesale prices and sell it to customers for a profit?Student answers will vary. One example of a product available for sale on Alibaba that many people “need” is coffee beans. These can be purchased on Alibaba, but can 2 / 4

Kroenke - Experiencing MIS 7 th Ed - Instructor’s Manual 1-3 Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.also be purchased at wholesale prices on US-based web sites such as coffeebeandirect.com.

COLLABORATION EXERCISE 1

Before you start this exercise, read Chapter Extensions 1 and 2, which describe collaboration techniques as well as tools for managing collaboration tasks. In particular, consider using Google Drive, Google +, Windows OneDrive, Microsoft SharePoint, or some other collaboration tool.

Collaborate with a group of fellow students to answer the following questions. For this exercise (rules will be different in exercises in chapters to come), do not meet face to face. Coordinate all of your work using email and email attachments, only. Your answers should reflect the thinking of the entire group, and not just one or two individuals.

1-4. Abstract reasoning

• Define abstract reasoning, and explain why it is an important skill for business

professionals.Abstract reasoning is the ability to construct and use a model or representation.Being able to construct a model or representation of a complex situation through abstract reasoning is an important skill for business professionals, who frequently must make decisions under uncertain and highly complex situations. This is a highly marketable skill. (LO: 1, Learning Outcome: Describe the components of

an information system (IS), AACSB: Reflective Thinking)

• Explain how a list of items in inventory and their quantity on hand is an

abstraction of a physical inventory.The inventory list and quantity on hand is a representation of the actual items on shelves in the warehouse. (LO: 1, Learning Outcome: Describe the components

of an information system (IS), AACSB: Reflective Thinking)

• Give three other examples of abstractions commonly used in business.

Student answers will vary, but some examples include projects plans, budgets, and business process models. (LO: 1, Learning Outcome: Describe the

components of an information system (IS), AACSB: Reflective Thinking)

• Explain how Jennifer failed to demonstrate effective abstract reasoning skills.

Jennifer was unable to develop a model to evaluate prospects for 3D printing opportunities. She identified parts that can’t be 3D printed and listed future drone models that don’t have the capacity to carry cameras. (LO: 1, Learning Outcome:

Describe the components of an information system (IS), AACSB: Reflective

Thinking)

• Can people increase their abstract reasoning skills? If so, how? If not, why not? 3 / 4

Kroenke - Experiencing MIS 7 th Ed - Instructor’s Manual 1-4 Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.Yes, abstract thinking skills can be developed with practice. Working with existing models is a place to start, but actually creating the models and examining their usefulness is even more essential to develop these skills. (LO: 1, Learning Outcome: Describe the components of an information system (IS), AACSB: Reflective Thinking)

1-5. Systems thinking.

• Define systems thinking, and explain why it is an important skill for business

professionals.Systems thinking involves identifying and modeling the components of a system and connecting the inputs and outputs among those components into a sensible whole, one that explains the phenomenon observed. This is an important skill because business people have to be able to identify and understand the relationships among the elements that form a complex situation. (LO: 1, Learning Outcome: Describe the components of an information system (IS), AACSB: Reflective Thinking)

• Explain how you would use systems thinking to define why Moore’s Law caused a

farmer to dig up a field of pulp wood trees. Name each of the elements in the system and explain their relationships to each other.Pulp wood trees are inputs in the production of paper. Moore’s law implies that more and more content will be stored digitally, and there will be less printed material produced. Consequently, the demand for paper will fall. The farmer recognizes that the value of his trees will decline over time as there is less demand for paper, so he decides to use his land to produce a product with a higher projected value. (LO: 1, Learning Outcome: Describe the components of an

information system (IS), AACSB: Reflective Thinking)

• Give three other examples of the use of system thinking with regard to the

consequences of Moore’s law.Student answers will vary. Some examples include Kodak shifting its business away from film cameras and film development to digital cameras and photo printers; Google’s project of scanning and digitizing books; and Amazon and Sony developing electronic reader devices. (LO: 1, Learning Outcome: Describe

the components of an information system (IS), AACSB: Reflective Thinking)

• Explain how Jennifer failed to demonstrate effective systems-thinking skills.

Jennifer was unable to understand and model the correct components and relationships between parts that can be 3D printed and drones that can carry cameras. (LO: 1, Learning Outcome: Describe the components of an information

system (IS), AACSB: Reflective Thinking)

• Can people improve their systems-thinking skills? If so, how? If not, why not?

Yes, systems thinking skills can be developed with practice. Applying existing models to different situations is a place to start, but actually creating the models,

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