BUS 237 Introduction to Business Technology
Management |2026 Midterm Study Guide
structure tips: Key Concepts in Technology and
IS Simon Fraser University
The Big Picture: “It’s Not the Future, It’s Now”
Core Idea: Technology is not optional. It is reshaping every industry.
Key Examples from Slides:
● Uber – largest taxi company, owns no vehicles
● Airbnb – largest accommodation provider, owns no property
● Google – dominant advertiser, creates no content
● Facebook – major media platform, creates no content
● Alibaba – retailer, owns no inventory
What This Means (Understand This):
Technology allows companies to:
● Own platforms instead of physical assets
● Scale globally very quickly
, ● Disrupt traditional industries
Exam Tip:
If asked why digital transformation is important → Explain that technology changes business
models, cost structures, and competition.
2 AI, Disruption & Uncertainty
Major firms over $1 trillion:
● Apple
● Microsoft
● Amazon
● Nvidia
● Meta
All heavily investing in AI.
Important AI Example:
● Nvidia controls ~80–95% of high-end AI chip market.
Key Understanding:
● Technology trends are unpredictable.
, ● Not every “hyped” technology succeeds.
○ Web3 struggled.
○ NFTs collapsed.
○ TikTok unexpectedly dominated.
This connects to the Hype Cycle (Figure 1.3)
The 5 Stages of the Hype Cycle (Know These!)
1. Emerging Innovation (Innovation Trigger)
2. Inflated Expectations
3. Trough of Disillusionment
4. Slope of Enlightenment
5. Plateau of Productivity
Example:
NFTs:
● Innovation Trigger → excitement
● Peak → massive speculation
● Trough → collapse
● Plateau → small practical uses remain
3 Golden Triad of Entrepreneurship
Very important concept.
To build a successful startup:
1. There’s a problem
, 2. I can solve the problem
3. I can be paid for solving the problem
If one is missing → business fails.
Example:
A free homework app:
● Solves a problem ✔
● But if no one pays ✖ → unsustainable
This connects MIS to business value.
4 Tech Impacts Every Business Function
Finance
● IPOs
● Mergers & Acquisitions
● AI trading systems
● Investment decisions depend on tech evaluation
Accounting
● Technology reliability affects audit quality
● Stronger regulations → higher responsibility
● Tech failures = legal consequences
Marketing
● Customer tracking
● Social media analytics
● Campaign data analysis
● Reputation management
Operations
● Supply chain management
● Factory automation
● Process redesign
● Robotics & drones
Human Resources
Management |2026 Midterm Study Guide
structure tips: Key Concepts in Technology and
IS Simon Fraser University
The Big Picture: “It’s Not the Future, It’s Now”
Core Idea: Technology is not optional. It is reshaping every industry.
Key Examples from Slides:
● Uber – largest taxi company, owns no vehicles
● Airbnb – largest accommodation provider, owns no property
● Google – dominant advertiser, creates no content
● Facebook – major media platform, creates no content
● Alibaba – retailer, owns no inventory
What This Means (Understand This):
Technology allows companies to:
● Own platforms instead of physical assets
● Scale globally very quickly
, ● Disrupt traditional industries
Exam Tip:
If asked why digital transformation is important → Explain that technology changes business
models, cost structures, and competition.
2 AI, Disruption & Uncertainty
Major firms over $1 trillion:
● Apple
● Microsoft
● Amazon
● Nvidia
● Meta
All heavily investing in AI.
Important AI Example:
● Nvidia controls ~80–95% of high-end AI chip market.
Key Understanding:
● Technology trends are unpredictable.
, ● Not every “hyped” technology succeeds.
○ Web3 struggled.
○ NFTs collapsed.
○ TikTok unexpectedly dominated.
This connects to the Hype Cycle (Figure 1.3)
The 5 Stages of the Hype Cycle (Know These!)
1. Emerging Innovation (Innovation Trigger)
2. Inflated Expectations
3. Trough of Disillusionment
4. Slope of Enlightenment
5. Plateau of Productivity
Example:
NFTs:
● Innovation Trigger → excitement
● Peak → massive speculation
● Trough → collapse
● Plateau → small practical uses remain
3 Golden Triad of Entrepreneurship
Very important concept.
To build a successful startup:
1. There’s a problem
, 2. I can solve the problem
3. I can be paid for solving the problem
If one is missing → business fails.
Example:
A free homework app:
● Solves a problem ✔
● But if no one pays ✖ → unsustainable
This connects MIS to business value.
4 Tech Impacts Every Business Function
Finance
● IPOs
● Mergers & Acquisitions
● AI trading systems
● Investment decisions depend on tech evaluation
Accounting
● Technology reliability affects audit quality
● Stronger regulations → higher responsibility
● Tech failures = legal consequences
Marketing
● Customer tracking
● Social media analytics
● Campaign data analysis
● Reputation management
Operations
● Supply chain management
● Factory automation
● Process redesign
● Robotics & drones
Human Resources
