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Chapter 1 – Introduction to Information Systems
Chapter Outline
1.1 Why Should I Study Information Systems?
1.2 Overview of Computer-Based Information Systems
1.3 How Does IT Impact Organizations?
1.4 Importance of Information Systems to Society
Learning Objectives
1. Identify the reasons why being an informed user of information systems is important in today’s world.
2. Describe the various types of computer-based information systems in an organization.
3. Discuss ways in which information technology can affect managers and nonmanagerial workers.
4. Identify positive and negative societal effects of the increased use of information technology.
Teaching Tips and Strategies
Today’s students use technology in ways that were not even dreamed of just a decade ago. However,
because these students have grown up surrounded by and using various technologies, information
technology has become an integral part of their personal and professional lives. Unfortunately, many
students seldom think about the whys and wherefores behind the technologies they use every day.
I have found they often fail to recognize, understand, or even see how information technology impacts
them, their lives, and their careers. So it is important to let them know what is in it for them, even if they
are not majoring in information systems. It is imperative for our students to understand how technology
will impact their future careers as we inch closer to a more digital economy. The textbook authors do a
good job of this by including a “What’s In It For Me?” section at the start of each chapter.
Throughout this course, it is important for us, their instructors, to encourage our students to step back and
observe the bigger picture as to what comprises the fundamentals of management information systems.
Unfortunately, if you have not found out already, you will find some students who will think this class is
boring or even complain they already “know it all.”
Point out that they should look at the “What’s In It For Me?” section of the chapters. This should be done
early in the course. As part of your course introductions on the first day of class, you might consider
asking students what their major course of study is. Knowing each student’s major and possible career
goals will help you tailor examples, classroom assignments, and discussion to the interests of the students.
Explaining how MIS has affected businesses as well as workers helps to get students interested in this
class. As instructors, it is important to connect students to the technology that they use on your campus;
for example, by asking students to reflect on the technologies that are being implemented by their school:
registration for courses, payments, recreation, bookstore, food services, etc. Using these technologies as
examples allow students to relate to the material that is being presented to them. It also helps students
understand the importance of stories of how computers have evolved and how MIS and Decision Support
Systems (discussed in a late chapter) have made management decision making easier and more reliable.
To support your class discussions, I try to bring in examples from the local area. Most communities
around college and university campuses have businesses or government agencies that operate data
Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
,Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
centres. Many times, students are unaware that they are there. In most cases, the local chamber of
commerce or, if your school has one, a group of local business leaders who periodically meet with your
dean might help you find these sites.
You might also consider supporting your class discussions with the importance of computer technology,
using examples of how companies have moved to email to save money over using snail mail (postal
service). Students can be introduced to the concept that IT must be paired with business processes to
harness IT’s potential.
IT is important to business leaders all over the world. In Canada, immigration lawyers use an online
system to assess potential salaries for different types of jobs (www.canadavisa.com/canada-salary-
wizard.html). Students should be encouraged to become familiar with this website. Salary statistics for
IT-related jobs in Canada can be obtained from www.itworldcanada.com/salarycalculator. Salary
information seems to attract students’ attention, especially if they realize that if they are more technology
savvy, they will likely make more money.
Finally, have your students look at the local help-wanted ads to see how many job postings for what
might be considered non-technical jobs require some IT knowledge.
Blackboard/CMS
Most colleges and universities have design requirements on the structure of online courses and what
should be included in the campus’s course management system where the class is online, or as a
supplement to an in-class lecture-based class. So what I am including in this section for this and the rest
of the chapter instructor guides is based on what I have learned from nearly fifteen years teaching this
class, and almost ten years teaching it online.
I usually start the term with an online discussion question asking the students about their majors, what
they think their technical knowledge is (this can sometimes be surprising because they usually
overestimate what they really know), and if they any have fears about technology. For this exercise, I
usually do not permit others in the class to comment on another student’s response. I use this mainly to
gauge the knowledge and background of the class.
I always record a short video for each chapter for my online classes. I have found that if I record a
complete lecture, most students do not watch it. So I do a ten- to fifteen-minute chapter overview video.
If you are teaching an online class or are looking for a short video for a lecture, I can usually find topic-
relevant videos on YouTube. Sometimes they are product demos or sales videos, but they still usually
present relevant information or concepts.
Opening Case: The Digital Transformation of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
1. Explain why embracing a digital transformation strategy was necessary for CIBC.
ANSWER:
While CIBC was ahead of the curve with its technological advancements, many new players (e.g.,
Apple and Google) were gaining customers from traditional banks. Younger generations are growing
up with technology and are more apt to turn to the newer competitors. To remain competitive, CIBC
had to embrace digital transformation.
Level: Easy
Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
, Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom’s Category: Application
AACSB Category: Technology
2. Can you think of other digital initiatives CIBC might use to increase customer satisfaction and
enhance its bottom line?
ANSWER:
Responses will vary, but should introduce the use of another technology, tailoring to specific
customer preferences. Ideally, regardless of the nature of each recommendation, it should be
supported with a logical reason as to why it could increase satisfaction or the bottom line.
Level: Medium
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom’s Category: Analysis
AACSB Category: Technology
IT’s About Business 1.1 A Variety of Digital Transformations
1. For which organization is digital transformation the most critical? Why? Support your answer.
ANSWER:
Students may vary in their responses but will likely see that for both the freight forwarding industry
and Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic teams, the timely and strategic adoption of digital technology
can provide them with a significant strategic advantage that will help them achieve their objectives.
For example, the data used must be entered accurately and in a timely manner in order to strategically
set freight forwarding businesses apart through effective management systems, including data
analysis and effective decision making. For Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic teams, the quality of
data obtained and stored will directly allow them retrieve and analyze how to gain a competitive
advantage.
Level: Easy
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom’s Category: Application
AACSB Category: Technology
2. For which organization is digital transformation the least critical? Why? Support your answer.
ANSWER:
Student answers will vary but should recognize that both Wendy’s and Professional Golf are using digital
transformation to make their businesses better; however, it is actually consumer preferences that will
drive the customer to engage in business with them. For example, with all of the digital
transformation available, Wendy’s may reduce time and further enhance the ordering experience, but
the core objective remains to offer quality food to the customer. For professional golf, while it is
important to have the latest technology to monitor the game, visitors and viewers of the game first
choose to do so because they are fans, the primary reason for the sport to succeed.
Level: Easy
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Information Systems
Chapter Outline
1.1 Why Should I Study Information Systems?
1.2 Overview of Computer-Based Information Systems
1.3 How Does IT Impact Organizations?
1.4 Importance of Information Systems to Society
Learning Objectives
1. Identify the reasons why being an informed user of information systems is important in today’s world.
2. Describe the various types of computer-based information systems in an organization.
3. Discuss ways in which information technology can affect managers and nonmanagerial workers.
4. Identify positive and negative societal effects of the increased use of information technology.
Teaching Tips and Strategies
Today’s students use technology in ways that were not even dreamed of just a decade ago. However,
because these students have grown up surrounded by and using various technologies, information
technology has become an integral part of their personal and professional lives. Unfortunately, many
students seldom think about the whys and wherefores behind the technologies they use every day.
I have found they often fail to recognize, understand, or even see how information technology impacts
them, their lives, and their careers. So it is important to let them know what is in it for them, even if they
are not majoring in information systems. It is imperative for our students to understand how technology
will impact their future careers as we inch closer to a more digital economy. The textbook authors do a
good job of this by including a “What’s In It For Me?” section at the start of each chapter.
Throughout this course, it is important for us, their instructors, to encourage our students to step back and
observe the bigger picture as to what comprises the fundamentals of management information systems.
Unfortunately, if you have not found out already, you will find some students who will think this class is
boring or even complain they already “know it all.”
Point out that they should look at the “What’s In It For Me?” section of the chapters. This should be done
early in the course. As part of your course introductions on the first day of class, you might consider
asking students what their major course of study is. Knowing each student’s major and possible career
goals will help you tailor examples, classroom assignments, and discussion to the interests of the students.
Explaining how MIS has affected businesses as well as workers helps to get students interested in this
class. As instructors, it is important to connect students to the technology that they use on your campus;
for example, by asking students to reflect on the technologies that are being implemented by their school:
registration for courses, payments, recreation, bookstore, food services, etc. Using these technologies as
examples allow students to relate to the material that is being presented to them. It also helps students
understand the importance of stories of how computers have evolved and how MIS and Decision Support
Systems (discussed in a late chapter) have made management decision making easier and more reliable.
To support your class discussions, I try to bring in examples from the local area. Most communities
around college and university campuses have businesses or government agencies that operate data
Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
,Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
centres. Many times, students are unaware that they are there. In most cases, the local chamber of
commerce or, if your school has one, a group of local business leaders who periodically meet with your
dean might help you find these sites.
You might also consider supporting your class discussions with the importance of computer technology,
using examples of how companies have moved to email to save money over using snail mail (postal
service). Students can be introduced to the concept that IT must be paired with business processes to
harness IT’s potential.
IT is important to business leaders all over the world. In Canada, immigration lawyers use an online
system to assess potential salaries for different types of jobs (www.canadavisa.com/canada-salary-
wizard.html). Students should be encouraged to become familiar with this website. Salary statistics for
IT-related jobs in Canada can be obtained from www.itworldcanada.com/salarycalculator. Salary
information seems to attract students’ attention, especially if they realize that if they are more technology
savvy, they will likely make more money.
Finally, have your students look at the local help-wanted ads to see how many job postings for what
might be considered non-technical jobs require some IT knowledge.
Blackboard/CMS
Most colleges and universities have design requirements on the structure of online courses and what
should be included in the campus’s course management system where the class is online, or as a
supplement to an in-class lecture-based class. So what I am including in this section for this and the rest
of the chapter instructor guides is based on what I have learned from nearly fifteen years teaching this
class, and almost ten years teaching it online.
I usually start the term with an online discussion question asking the students about their majors, what
they think their technical knowledge is (this can sometimes be surprising because they usually
overestimate what they really know), and if they any have fears about technology. For this exercise, I
usually do not permit others in the class to comment on another student’s response. I use this mainly to
gauge the knowledge and background of the class.
I always record a short video for each chapter for my online classes. I have found that if I record a
complete lecture, most students do not watch it. So I do a ten- to fifteen-minute chapter overview video.
If you are teaching an online class or are looking for a short video for a lecture, I can usually find topic-
relevant videos on YouTube. Sometimes they are product demos or sales videos, but they still usually
present relevant information or concepts.
Opening Case: The Digital Transformation of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
1. Explain why embracing a digital transformation strategy was necessary for CIBC.
ANSWER:
While CIBC was ahead of the curve with its technological advancements, many new players (e.g.,
Apple and Google) were gaining customers from traditional banks. Younger generations are growing
up with technology and are more apt to turn to the newer competitors. To remain competitive, CIBC
had to embrace digital transformation.
Level: Easy
Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
, Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom’s Category: Application
AACSB Category: Technology
2. Can you think of other digital initiatives CIBC might use to increase customer satisfaction and
enhance its bottom line?
ANSWER:
Responses will vary, but should introduce the use of another technology, tailoring to specific
customer preferences. Ideally, regardless of the nature of each recommendation, it should be
supported with a logical reason as to why it could increase satisfaction or the bottom line.
Level: Medium
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom’s Category: Analysis
AACSB Category: Technology
IT’s About Business 1.1 A Variety of Digital Transformations
1. For which organization is digital transformation the most critical? Why? Support your answer.
ANSWER:
Students may vary in their responses but will likely see that for both the freight forwarding industry
and Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic teams, the timely and strategic adoption of digital technology
can provide them with a significant strategic advantage that will help them achieve their objectives.
For example, the data used must be entered accurately and in a timely manner in order to strategically
set freight forwarding businesses apart through effective management systems, including data
analysis and effective decision making. For Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic teams, the quality of
data obtained and stored will directly allow them retrieve and analyze how to gain a competitive
advantage.
Level: Easy
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom’s Category: Application
AACSB Category: Technology
2. For which organization is digital transformation the least critical? Why? Support your answer.
ANSWER:
Student answers will vary but should recognize that both Wendy’s and Professional Golf are using digital
transformation to make their businesses better; however, it is actually consumer preferences that will
drive the customer to engage in business with them. For example, with all of the digital
transformation available, Wendy’s may reduce time and further enhance the ordering experience, but
the core objective remains to offer quality food to the customer. For professional golf, while it is
important to have the latest technology to monitor the game, visitors and viewers of the game first
choose to do so because they are fans, the primary reason for the sport to succeed.
Level: Easy
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Full download please contact or qidiantiku.com
