Information Systems for Business and Beyond
》Chapter Outline & Learning Objectives
• Part 1: What Is an Information System?
Chapter 1: What Is an Information System? – This chapter provides an overview of information systems, including the history of how we got where we are today.
• define what an information system is by identifying its major components;
• describe the basic history of information systems; and
• describe the basic argument behind the article “Does IT Matter?” by Nicholas Carr.
Chapter 2: Hardware – We discuss information systems hardware and how it works. You will look at different computer parts and learn how they interact.
• describe information systems hardware;
• identify the primary components of a computer and the functions they perform; and
• explain the effect of the commoditization of the personal computer.
Chapter 3: Software – Without software, hardware is useless. In this chapter, we discuss software and the role it plays in an organization.
• define the term software;
• describe the two primary categories of software;
• describe the role ERP software plays in an organization;
• describe cloud computing and its advantages and disadvantages for use in an organization; and
• define the term open-source and identify its primary characteristics.
Chapter 4: Data and Databases – This chapter explores how organizations use information systems to turn data into information that can then be used for competitive advantage. Special attention is paid to the role of databases.
• describe the differences between data, information, and knowledge;
• define the term database and identify the steps to creating one;
• describe the role of a database management system;
• describe the characteristics of a data warehouse; and
• define data mining and describe its role in an organization.
Chapter 5: Networking and Communication – Today’s computers are expected to also be communication devices. In this chapter we review the history of networking, how the Internet works, and the use of networks in organizations today.
• understand the history and development of networking technologies;
• define the key terms associated with networking technologies;
• understand the importance of broadband technologies; and
• describe organizational networking.
Chapter 6: Information Systems Security – We discuss the information security triad of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. We will review different security technologies, and the chapter concludes with a primer on personal information security.
• identify the information security triad;
• identify and understand the high-level concepts surrounding information security tools; and
• secure yourself digitally.
• Part 2: Information Systems for Strategic Advantage
Chapter 7: Does IT Matter? – This chapter examines the impact that information systems have on an organization. Can IT give a company a competitive advantage? We will discuss seminal works by Brynjolfsson, Carr, and Porter as they relate to IT and competitive advantage.
• define the productivity paradox and explain the current thinking on this topic;
• evaluate Carr’s argument in “Does IT Matter?”;
• describe the components of competitive advantage; and
• describe information systems that can provide businesses with competitive advantage.
Chapter 8: Business Processes – Business processes are the essence of what a business does, and information systems play an important role in making them work. This chapter will discuss business process management, business process reengineering, and ERP systems.
• define the term business process;
• identify the different systems needed to support business processes in an organization;
• explain the value of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system;
• explain how business process management and business process reengineering work; and
• understand how information technology combined with business processes can bring an organization competitive advantage.
Chapter 9: The People in Information Systems – This chapter will provide an overview of the different types of people involved in information systems. This includes people who create information systems, those who operate and administer information systems, those who manage information systems, and those who use information systems.
• describe each of the different roles that people play in the design, development, and use of information systems;
• understand the different career paths available to those who work with information systems;
• explain the importance of where the information-systems function is placed in an organization; and
• describe the different types of users of information systems.
Chapter 10: Information Systems Development – How are information systems created? This chapter will review the concept of programming, look at different methods of software development, review website and mobile application development, discuss end- user computing, and look at the “build vs. buy” decision that many companies face.
• explain the overall process of developing a new software application;
• explain the differences between software development methodologies;
• understand the different types of programming languages used to develop software;
• understand some of the issues surrounding the development of websites and mobile applications; and
• identify the four primary implementation policies.
• Part 3: Information Systems beyond the Organization
Chapter 11: Globalization and the Digital Divide – The rapid rise of the Internet has made it easier than ever to do business worldwide. This chapter will look at the impact that the Internet is having on the globalization of business and the issues that firms must face because of it. It will also cover the concept of the digital divide and some of the steps being taken to alleviate it.
• explain the concept of globalization;
• describe the role of information technology in globalization;
• identify the issues experienced by firms as they face a global economy; and
• define the digital divide and explain Nielsen’s three stages of the digital divide.
Chapter 12: The Ethical and Legal Implications of Information Systems – The rapid changes in information and communication technology in the past few decades have brought a broad array of new capabilities and powers to governments, organizations, and individuals alike. This chapter will discuss the effects that these new capabilities have had and the legal and regulatory changes that have been put in place in response.
• describe what the term information systems ethics means;
• explain what a code of ethics is and describe the advantages and disadvantages;
• define the term intellectual property and explain the protections provided by copyright, patent, and trademark; and
• describe the challenges that information technology brings to individual privacy.
Chapter 13: Future Trends in Information Systems – This final chapter will present an overview of some of the new technologies that are on the horizon. From wearable technology to 3-D printing, this chapter will provide a look forward to what the next few years will bring.
• describe future trends in information systems.
》Chapter Summary
• Part 1: What Is an Information System?
Chapter 1: What Is an Information System?
In this chapter, you have been introduced to the concept of information systems. We have reviewed several definitions, with a focus on the components of information systems: technology, people, and process. We have reviewed how the business use of information systems has evolved over the years, from the use of large mainframe computers for number crunching, through the introduction of the PC and networks, all the way to the era of mobile computing. During each of these phases, new innovations in software and technology allowed businesses to integrate technology more deeply.
We are now to a point where every company is using information systems and asking the question: Does it bring a competitive advantage? In the end, that is really what this book is about. Every businessperson should understand what an information system is and how it can be used to bring a competitive advantage. And that is the task we have before us.
Chapter 2: Hardware
Information systems hardware consists of the components of digital technology that you can touch. In this chapter, we reviewed the components that make up a personal computer, with the understanding that the configuration of a personal computer is very similar to that of any type of digital computing device. A personal computer is made up of many components, most importantly the CPU, motherboard, RAM, hard disk, removable media, and input/output devices. We also reviewed some variations on the personal computer, such as the tablet computer and the smartphone. In accordance with Moore’s Law, these technologies have improved quickly over the years, making today’s computing devices much more powerful than devices just a few years ago. Finally, we discussed two of the consequences of this evolution: the commoditization of the personal computer and the problem of electronic waste.
Chapter 3: Software
Software gives the instructions that tell the hardware what to do. There are two basic categories of software: operating systems and applications. Operating systems provide access to the computer hardware and make system resources available. Application software is designed to meet a specific goal. Productivity software is a subset of application software that provides basic business functionality to a personal computer: word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. An ERP system is a software application with a centralized database that is implemented across the entire organization. Cloud computing is a method of software delivery that runs on any computer that has a web browser and access to the Internet. Software is developed through a p