Question 1

When a company's business strategy and technology strategy are intertwined, this situation is known as _______.
A) convergence
B) alignment
C) dynamic
D) differentiation
E) technologically adjusted

Accepted Answer

Convergence refers to the integration or merging of two or more strategies or technologies into a cohesive and unified approach. In this case, the business strategy and technology strategy are intertwined and work together to achieve the company's objectives.

Question 2

Significant changes in IS should trigger a reassessment of the _____________.
A) business strategy
B) social strategy
C) process strategy
D) data strategy
E) system strategy

Accepted Answer

Significant changes in IS (Information Systems) can have a significant impact on the overall business strategy. Therefore, it is important to reassess and potentially adjust the business strategy to ensure alignment with the new IS changes. The other options (social, process, data, system strategies) may also require reassessment in certain situations, but they are not as directly impacted by IS changes as the business strategy.

Question 3

The managerial levers identifies the crucial, interrelated components for designing an organization. The components include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Decision rights
B) Social media
C) Business processes
D) Incentives and rewards
E) Performance measurement and evaluation

Accepted Answer

Social media is not a crucial component for designing an organization. While it may be used as a tool for communication and marketing, it is not essential to the fundamental structure and operations of an organization. The other components listed (decision rights, business processes, incentives and rewards, and performance measurement and evaluation) are all critical elements that must be carefully designed and managed in order to achieve organizational success.

Question 4

A general manager should:
A) Rely on IS personnel to make IS decisions
B) Ignore how IS are used and managed
C) Have a deep technical knowledge of IS
D) Understand the use and consequences of technologies relevant to the business
E) Not be expected to ask or understand technology related questions

Accepted Answer

A general manager should have a high-level understanding of the use and consequences of technologies relevant to the business. While technical knowledge can be helpful, it is not necessary for a general manager to have a deep technical understanding of IS. Relying solely on IS personnel to make IS decisions can be risky and may limit a general manager's ability to make informed decisions. Ignoring how IS are used and managed can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. It is also not appropriate for a general manager to not ask or understand technology-related questions.

Question 5

Organizational, cultural, and control variables are considered the ________ used by decision makers to effect change in their organization.
A) collaboration tools
B) managerial levers
C) events
D) IS
E) organization objectives

Accepted Answer

Organizational, cultural, and control variables are often referred to as managerial levers, as they are tools in the hands of decision makers to influence and shape their organization. Collaboration tools and IS are technology-based tools, while events and organization objectives are broader concepts that may influence decision making but are not considered specific levers of change.

Question 6

Before Kaiser Permanente adopted its new business strategy, its IS Strategy Triangle was out of __________.
A) control
B) alignment
C) adjustment
D) scope
E) specification

Accepted Answer

The IS Strategy Triangle consists of three components: business strategy, organizational strategy, and information strategy. These three components need to be in alignment for an organization to be successful. Before Kaiser Permanente adopted its new business strategy, its IS Strategy Triangle was out of alignment.

Question 7

The ____________ is a plan articulating where a business seeks to go and how it expects to get there.
A) vision statement
B) mission statement
C) stakeholder statement
D) stockholder statement
E) business strategy

Accepted Answer

A business strategy is a plan that outlines the direction and objectives of a company, as well as the methods it will use to achieve them. It covers a range of areas, including marketing, operations, finance, and human resources, among others. A vision statement is a brief and aspirational statement of what a company hopes to achieve in the future. A mission statement describes the company's purpose, values, and goals. A stakeholder statement is a document that outlines how a company plans to engage with its stakeholders, including customers, employees, suppliers, and communities. A stockholder statement communicates how the company plans to create value for its shareholders. None of these statements fully captures the scope or purpose of a business strategy.

Question 8

The general manager for a retail clothing outlet was recently cited as saying, "IT is the cornerstone of our company. All of our decisions are based on the sophisticated systems that we have deployed throughout our organization. IT drives our decisions." What position should the manager hold regarding IT and its influence on decision making?
A) IT should drive business decisions.
B) Organizational goals should drive IT decisions.
C) Organizational strategy should drive IS decision making.
D) Business strategy should drive IS decision making
E) All strategy should be driven by IT strategy.

Accepted Answer

Business strategy should drive IS (Information Systems) decision making. While IT may be a critical component in facilitating business processes and decision making, it is important that IT decisions are aligned with the overall goals and strategy of the organization. IT should be seen as an enabler of business strategy rather than the driving force behind it.

Question 9

By using IS to achieve economies of scale and generate operating efficiencies, Walmart epitomizes which one of Porter's generic strategies?
A) Differentiation
B) Focus
C) Cost leadership
D) Broad focus
E) Cost differentiation

Accepted Answer

Walmart's use of IS to achieve economies of scale and operating efficiencies is a clear example of its cost leadership strategy. By utilizing technology to streamline their supply chain and inventory management, Walmart is able to offer lower prices than competitors while still maintaining profitability.

Question 10

Google has disrupted a number of industries, particularly the advertising and software industries. Google's ability to quickly and aggressively provide new products and services is best described by:
A) Porter's Generic Strategies
B) The Hypercompetition Model
C) The Information Systems Strategy Triangle
D) The Social Business Strategy
E) Customer Relationship Management

Accepted Answer

The Hypercompetition Model describes the intense competition and rapid pace of innovation and change in industries driven by technology. Google's ability to quickly and aggressively provide new products and services is a key characteristic of hypercompetition.

Question 11

This framework is called the ____________________ because it relates business strategy with IS strategy and organizational strategy.
A) Porter's Generic Framework
B) Hypercompetition Model
C) Information Technology Matrix
D) IS Strategy Model
E) Information Systems Strategy Triangle

Accepted Answer

The Information Systems Strategy Triangle is the framework that relates business strategy with IS strategy and organizational strategy. Option A, Porter's Generic Framework, is a framework for analyzing the competitive forces in an industry. Option B, the Hypercompetition Model, is a framework that describes the dynamic, fast-paced competitive environment that some industries operate in. Option C, the Information Technology Matrix, is a framework for assessing the strategic value of different types of IT investments. Option D, the IS Strategy Model, is not a widely recognized framework.

Question 12

Organizations seek to gain a competitive advantage by differentiation, cost, or _________.
A) service
B) focus
C) profit
D) value
E) speed

Accepted Answer

The options listed suggest different strategies organizations use to gain competitive advantage. Differentiation strategy focuses on offering unique or superior products or services to customers. Cost strategy focuses on providing products or services at a lower cost than competitors. Focus strategy is when an organization targets a specific market segment to meet their needs uniquely. Profit and value are outcomes of implementing a successful strategy, not a strategy itself. Speed can be an aspect of strategy, but it is not a standalone strategy. Therefore, the best choice is B - focus.

Question 13

General managers should take an active role in decisions about information systems. This is vital because:
A) The IS department cannot be trusted to make good decisions.
B) The IS department has not been trained to make general business decisions.
C) The IS department does not have the company's best interests as its focus.
D) Information systems are designed to support business objectives.
E) Information systems are normally incongruent with business strategies.

Accepted Answer

Information systems are designed to support business objectives, so it is important for general managers who have a strategic view of the business to be involved in decisions about information systems. They can ensure that the systems align with the overall goals and objectives of the organization. Additionally, while the IS department may have technical expertise in implementing and managing systems, they may not have the same level of awareness of the larger business context and priorities. General managers can provide valuable input and ensure that information system decisions are made in the best interest of the company.

Question 14

Through the use of various technologies, a ski resort tracks the slopes each customer skis and the times he or she skis them. Skiers then have the ability to view this information online, and can choose to seamlessly share their accomplishments on Facebook. In addition, photographers positioned at the resort post pictures on Facebook for the skier. This ski resort has worked hard to develop a strong:
A) IS Strategy
B) Social business strategy
C) Business strategy
D) Organizational strategy
E) Customer strategy

Accepted Answer

The ski resort's use of technology to track customers' skiing habits and allow them to share their accomplishments on social media platforms like Facebook is an example of a strong social business strategy. This strategy not only enhances the customer experience but also leverages social media to promote the resort's brand and attract new customers.

Question 15

A social business strategy is designed to use social IT tools for all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Collaborating with stakeholders
B) Building deeper connections with stakeholders
C) Innovating with stakeholders
D) Excluding stakeholders
E) Networking with employees, customer and/or suppliers

Accepted Answer

Excluding stakeholders goes against the purpose of a social business strategy, which is to foster collaboration, innovation, and networking with stakeholders.

Question 16

The physical means by which information is exchanged among hardware components is called _______.
A) hardware
B) software
C) networking
D) personnel
E) data

Accepted Answer

Networking refers to the physical means by which information is exchanged among hardware components, such as through wires or wireless connections. Hardware refers specifically to the physical components themselves, software refers to programs and applications that run on the hardware, personnel refers to the people who use and maintain the hardware and software, and data refers to the information that is processed and stored by the hardware and software.

Question 17

All of the following are likely causes of Kaiser Permanente's difficulties before their new KPHealthConnect EXCEPT for:
A) Bonus incentives not matching strategy
B) The alignment of the Information Systems Strategy Triangle
C) The failure of automated systems
D) The leadership and organizational culture
E) Patient service processes needing to be updated and streamlined

Accepted Answer

The answer of All of the following are likely causes...

Question 18

The "Managerial Levers" concept is useful for the following reasons:
A) Management can find what "levers" to push to force people to do what they want.
B) Management should not make a change unless they align multiple issues, such as tasks, measures, values, incentives, etc.
C) System investments need to be financially highly leveraged.
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The "Managerial Levers" concept suggests that management should not make a change unless they align multiple issues such as tasks, measures, values, incentives, etc. It focuses on ensuring that all aspects of the system are working together effectively, rather than simply finding ways to force people to comply with management's goals. Option A is incorrect because the concept is not about forcing people to do what management wants. Option C is incorrect because the concept does not specifically address financial leverage. Option D includes incorrect statements.

Question 19

The organizational strategy should ideally _____ the IS strategy.
A) drive
B) complement
C) dictate
D) ignore
E) sustain

Accepted Answer

The organizational strategy and the IS strategy should be aligned and work together in a complementary manner to achieve common goals. The IS strategy should support and enable the goals and objectives of the overall organizational strategy.

Question 20

A bank provides its customers mobile applications that significantly simplify traditional banking activities. For example, a customer can use a smartphone to take a picture of a check and electronically deposit into an account. This unique service demonstrates the bank's desire to practice which one of Porter's strategies?
A) Differentiation
B) Focus
C) Cost leadership
D) Broad focus
E) Cost differentiation

Accepted Answer

The bank demonstrates a desire to differentiate itself from competitors by providing unique and innovative services such as mobile check deposits. This falls under Porter's differentiation strategy.

Quiz 2: The Information Systems Strategy Triangle

When a company's business strategy and technology strategy are intertwined, this situation is known as _______.

Significant changes in IS should trigger a reassessment of the _____________.

The managerial levers identifies the crucial, interrelated components for designing an organization. The components include all of the following EXCEPT:

A general manager should:

Organizational, cultural, and control variables are considered the ________ used by decision makers to effect change in their organization.

Before Kaiser Permanente adopted its new business strategy, its IS Strategy Triangle was out of __________.

The ____________ is a plan articulating where a business seeks to go and how it expects to get there.

By using IS to achieve economies of scale and generate operating efficiencies, Walmart epitomizes which one of Porter's generic strategies?

Google has disrupted a number of industries, particularly the advertising and software industries. Google's ability to quickly and aggressively provide new products and services is best described by:

This framework is called the ____________________ because it relates business strategy with IS strategy and organizational strategy.

Organizations seek to gain a competitive advantage by differentiation, cost, or _________.

General managers should take an active role in decisions about information systems. This is vital because:

A social business strategy is designed to use social IT tools for all of the following EXCEPT:

The physical means by which information is exchanged among hardware components is called _______.

All of the following are likely causes of Kaiser Permanente's difficulties before their new KPHealthConnect EXCEPT for:

The "Managerial Levers" concept is useful for the following reasons:

The organizational strategy should ideally _____ the IS strategy.