Question 1

________ determines the structure,features,and functions of every information system.

Accepted Answer

Competitive strategy influences the structure, features, and functions of every information system by determining how an organization responds to its competitive environment and meets its goals, thus shaping the requirements and capabilities of its information systems.

Question 2

Ellen is the marketing manager of Qtopia Inc.She often develops ideas and plans with the help of her colleagues,and provides and receives critical feedback.According to Reich's four critical skills,Ellen is displaying ________ skills.

Accepted Answer

Collaboration skills involve working effectively with others and developing a team-oriented approach to problems and challenges. Ellen is displaying collaboration skills by working with her colleagues to develop ideas and plans, and by providing and receiving critical feedback.

Question 3

Staples sells office supplies and machines,furniture,and business services both in stores and online.It sells every kind of stationery that one can imagine.It has over 2,000 stores worldwide in 26 countries.This is most likely an example of a(n)________.

Accepted Answer

Staples' approach of offering a wide range of products and services across a broad market, both in stores and online, in multiple countries, aligns with an industry-wide differentiation strategy. This strategy aims to distinguish a company's products or services from its competitors' through unique features and broad accessibility.

Question 4

A(n)________ involves finding potential customers,contacting them,and assigning a sales person.

Accepted Answer

The process described involves a series of steps that are designed to achieve a specific business outcome, which is acquiring new customers. This process is a core part of the sales function and involves identifying potential leads, contacting them through various channels, and assigning a salesperson to close the deal. Therefore, the most appropriate term to describe this process is a business process. The other options - value chain, information system, and differentiation strategy - may also play a role in the sales function, but they are not directly related to the specific process described.

Question 5

Which of the following is a key for companies when choosing a competitive strategy?

Accepted Answer

A distinctive and maintainable competitive strategy is crucial for companies to distinguish themselves from their competitors and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage. Committing to more than one strategy can lead to a lack of focus, and trying to imitate competitors may not result in a unique strategy. Selling products at the highest price is not necessary to become a cost leader, which involves minimizing costs while maintaining quality.

Question 6

Which of the following is not one of the four fundamental competitive strategies:

Accepted Answer

The four fundamental competitive strategies typically include cost leadership across an industry, differentiation across an industry, cost focus within an industry segment, and differentiation focus within an industry segment. Option D, which suggests combining low cost and differentiation within an industry segment, does not align with the classic framework of these strategies.

Question 7

Which of the following is the first stage in the sequence of how organizational strategy determines MIS?

Accepted Answer

Determining the industry structure is the first stage in the sequence of how organizational strategy determines MIS, as it sets the context in which a company operates and competes.

Question 8

Which of the following is a necessary condition for effective collaboration?

Accepted Answer

The ability to give and receive critical feedback is a necessary condition for effective collaboration as it allows team members to exchange ideas and make improvements to their work. Being able to communicate constructively and provide feedback helps in resolving issues and making progress towards the common goal. Cordiality is important, but it is not the most essential factor. Manipulating models and dominating group members are not necessary for effective collaboration and can hinder the group's cohesion and productivity.

Question 9

A car rental company operates in two cities and offers rental cars at low rates specifically to college students from these areas.This is an example of a(n)________.

Accepted Answer

The company targets a specific segment (college students) in specific areas (two cities) with low rates, which aligns with a focused cost leadership strategy.

Question 10

________ is the ability to model the components of a system and to connect the inputs and outputs among those components into a sensible whole,one that explains the phenomenon observed.

Accepted Answer

Systems thinking involves understanding the various components of a system and how they interact with each other in order to explain the behavior of the system as a whole. This requires the ability to model those components and their relationships, and to analyze the inputs and outputs of the system in a holistic and integrated way. It also involves recognizing the interdependence of different parts of the system and considering the feedback loops that can arise as a result. Systems thinking is a key skill for understanding complex phenomena in a wide range of fields, from biology and ecology to economics and social systems.

Question 11

As a candidate at a job interview for the position of video and graphic designer,Steve is asked to create a design using Corel VideoStudio X3,a relatively new software that he has not learned yet.Which of the following skills is the interviewer trying to test?

Accepted Answer

The interviewer is trying to test Steve's ability to experiment with new software and quickly learn how to use it.

Question 12

Willoughby Inc.,a large chain of superstores,sources its products from thousands of suppliers who have limited product differentiation.The products stored at the superstores are also available at smaller convenience stores with a marginal price differentiation.In this case,which of the following competitive forces is most likely to be a threat to the company?

Accepted Answer

The bargaining power of customers is most likely to be a threat to Willoughby Inc. because the products they sell are widely available and have little differentiation, allowing customers to easily switch to other stores if they find better prices or services, thus giving customers more power over the company.

Question 13

________ is defined as making a careful and reasoned analysis of an opportunity,envisioning potential products or solutions or applications of technology,and then developing those ideas that seem to have the most promise,consistent with the resources one has.

Accepted Answer

Experimentation involves a careful and reasoned analysis of opportunities, envisioning potential solutions, and developing promising ideas, aligning with the definition provided.

Question 14

Miguel proposes a new design idea for an automobile to his boss.He illustrates the model through a presentation,describes how the firm could profit from it,and how it meets customers' needs.Which of Reich's four critical skills is Miguel exhibiting?

Accepted Answer

Miguel is using abstract reasoning by conceptualizing a new design idea for an automobile, illustrating the model through a presentation, and explaining its potential profitability and customer appeal. This skill involves the ability to make connections between information and to conceptualize complex ideas, which is evident in Miguel's actions.

Question 15

According to Porter's five forces model,established companies face stronger threats from substitutes if the substitute's ________.

Accepted Answer

According to Porter's five forces model, established companies face stronger threats from substitutes if the substitute's price is lower. If the substitute is cheaper, customers may switch to it instead of the established company's product or service.

Question 16

The intensity of Porter's five forces model determines ________.

Accepted Answer

The intensity of Porter's five forces model helps determine how sustainable an industry's profitability will be. It analyzes various factors such as the threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, intensity of competitive rivalry, and threat of substitute products or services. By analyzing these factors, a company can assess the level of competition in the industry and make strategic decisions to achieve sustainable profitability. The other options (A, B, and D) are not directly determined by Porter's five forces model.

Question 17

Which of the following appropriately justifies a company's decision to develop an information system?

Accepted Answer

The development of an information system should be aligned with the organization's strategy in order to achieve its goals and improve its operations.

Question 18

Which of the following is an industry barrier for new entrants in an established market?

Accepted Answer

Government policies can act as a barrier for new entrants by setting regulatory requirements, licensing and permitting requirements, and other legal barriers that can be costly and time-consuming to navigate. Low financial investments (A) and accessible distribution channels (D) may actually encourage new entrants to join the market, while low customer switching costs (C) make it easier for new entrants to attract customers away from established companies.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT the most significant determinant of employment and salary today:

Accepted Answer

Education and industry, while important, are not as specific or directly impactful on employment and salary as the other options, which are focused on practical skills in interpreting data, using information systems, and applying emerging technologies. These skills are highly valued in the modern job market for their direct application to improving business outcomes.

Question 20

Which of the following statements regarding an information system is true?

Accepted Answer

An information system is a combination of hardware, software, data, people, and procedures that work together to store and retrieve data, process it into useful information, and provide knowledge to help make decisions. Therefore, statement C is the only one that correctly describes the function of an information system.

Quiz 1: The Importance of MIS