Question 1

A system can be defined as a series of interrelated elements with an identifiable boundary, that work together to achieve a common goal.

Accepted Answer

A system is indeed characterized by its interrelated elements, identifiable boundaries, and the collective effort to achieve a specific objective, making this definition accurate.

Question 2

The concept of synergy states that the whole is equal to the sum of the parts.

Accepted Answer

The concept of synergy states that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, implying that when parts work together, they can achieve more than they can individually.

Question 3

A system contains three components: interrelated elements, internal inputs, and subsystems.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

Another name for a system element is a subsystem.

Accepted Answer

A system element can indeed be referred to as a subsystem, especially when it is a component part of a larger system, functioning within the overall system's context.

Question 5

Boundaries imply that systems can be distinguished via their relationship to other systems.

Accepted Answer

Boundaries allow for the identification and distinction of one system from another by defining the limits or edges of a system, thereby establishing its relationship to other systems.

Question 6

Elements that are not contained within the boundary of a system are part of the system environment.

Accepted Answer

Elements not contained within the boundary of a system are considered part of the system's environment, as they exist outside the system and can interact with or influence the system without being a component of it.

Question 7

The system environment is not part of the system itself.

Accepted Answer

The system environment refers to external conditions and influences that interact with and affect a system, but are not components of the system itself.

Question 8

A self contained system that has very little interaction with the external environment is referred to as an adaptive system.

Accepted Answer

A self-contained system with very little interaction with the external environment is referred to as a closed system, not an adaptive system. Adaptive systems are characterized by their ability to change and adapt in response to their environment.

Question 9

Closed systems are perpetual and self-sustaining.

Accepted Answer

Closed systems exchange energy but not matter with their surroundings, and they are not perpetual or self-sustaining as they require external energy to maintain order.

Question 10

Open systems adapt both internally and externally.

Accepted Answer

Open systems adapt by changing internally in response to external environmental changes, allowing them to maintain equilibrium and sustainability.

Question 11

Function composition is the process of breaking down systems into more discreet subsystems.

Accepted Answer

Function composition in mathematics refers to applying one function to the results of another, i.e., if you have two functions f and g, the composition (f ∘ g)(x) = f(g(x)), not breaking down systems into subsystems.

Question 12

A DSS is considered to be a closed system because all of the data stores used are self-contained.

Accepted Answer

A DSS (Decision Support System) is considered an open system because it interacts with its environment by taking in external data to support decision-making.

Question 13

One of the advantages of a DSS is that the end-user is always contained with the boundaries of the system, resulting in greater system control.

Accepted Answer

A Decision Support System (DSS) is designed to be flexible and interactive, allowing users to explore various scenarios and manipulate data outside of predefined boundaries, which enhances decision-making rather than restricting it to within system boundaries.

Question 14

A service level agreement provides a detailed description of each service provision along with reporting requirements for each party to the agreement.

Accepted Answer

A Service Level Agreement (SLA) indeed outlines the detailed description of services to be provided, including the scope and quality of the services, as well as the reporting requirements and responsibilities of each party involved in the agreement.

Question 15

Information relevance is synonymous with information precision.

Accepted Answer

Information relevance refers to how pertinent the information is to a specific need or context, while information precision focuses on the accuracy and specificity of the information.

Question 16

The standard for information to be considered timely is that it must be available to the user within 48 hours.

Accepted Answer

The standard for information to be considered timely varies depending on the context and the specific needs of the user; there is no universal standard that specifies information must be available within 48 hours.

Question 17

Information consistency refers to how quickly and easily its intended user can figure out what to do with it.

Accepted Answer

Information consistency refers to the uniformity and reliability of the information presented across different platforms or formats, not to how quickly and easily its intended user can figure out what to do with it.

Question 18

Information system architecture is a detailed plan that addresses the make, model and characteristics of each physical unit in a system.

Accepted Answer

Information system architecture refers to the conceptual model that defines the structure, behavior, and more views of a system. It is not limited to the physical aspects but also includes the software, data, and how these interact within the system.

Question 19

One of the unique features of a DSS is that the data is highly specialized and rarely used by anyone other than the person who created it.

Accepted Answer

A Decision Support System (DSS) is designed to be used by multiple users, not just the creator, and its data can be widely applicable across an organization for various decision-making processes.

Question 20

Scalability is the degree to which a platform can be expanded to accommodate increases in processing requirements.

Accepted Answer

Scalability refers to the capability of a system, network, or process to handle a growing amount of work, or its potential to be enlarged to accommodate that growth. This means a scalable platform can indeed be expanded to meet increases in processing requirements.

Quiz 13: Decisions in the Organization