SOLUTION MANUAL
Information Technology for Management: On-Demand Strategies for
Performance, Growth and Sustainability, 11e
Authors: Efraim Turban, Carol Pollard & Gregory Wood
,@ProfdocDigitalLibraries <Best Online Study Materials>
Table of Contents
Part I — Reshaping Enterprises and Consumers in the On-Demand Economy
1. Disruptive IT Impacts Companies, Competition, and Careers
2. Information Systems, IT Architecture, Data Governance, and Cloud Computing
3. Data Management, Data Analytics, and Business Intelligence
4. Networks, Collaborative Technologies, and the Internet of Things
5. Cybersecurity and Risk Management
Part II — Winning, Engaging, and Retaining Consumers
6. Internet Technologies and Search Strategies
7. Social Media and Web 2.0
8. Retail, Mobile, and E-Commerce
Part III — Optimizing Performance and Processes
9. Tactical and Operational Support Systems
10. Enterprise Systems
11. Data Visualization and Geographic Information Systems
Part IV — Managing Business Relationships
12. IT Strategy, Sourcing, and Strategic Technology Trends
13. Systems Development and Project Management
14. IT Ethics, Privacy, and Sustainability
,@ProfdocDigitalLibraries <Best Online Study Materials>
CHAPTER 1
Disruptive IT Impacts Companies, Competition and Careers
IT at Work
IT at Work 1.1
1. How did Fitbit manage to take the title of biggest selling manufacturer of wearable
technology tech and sustain it?
Fitbit disrupted the health and fitness industry when they brought to market a smart-
connected wearable activity tracker that fits effortlessly into users’ life styles and thus
launched an industry and propelled themselves to market leader. Within five years, Fitbit
managed to take the title of biggest selling manufacturer of wearable tech when it sold 21
million devices in one year.
2. What could other companies who produce fitness trackers do to challenge Fitbit in the
marketplace?
Answers may vary. Other companies may focus on cost to target a low-end market with
inexpensive products while others may focus on product development to enhance the
capability and features of their device to maintain or grow respective market shares.
3. What other features do you think consumers would like Fitbit to incorporate into its’
fitness tracker to further improve it? How would consumers and Fitbit benefit from
these improvements?
Answers may vary. Features could include feedback on movements to improve
performance (as with time-motion studies) and alerting workers when they have had too
much repetitive movement or not enough movement for good health (as in a sedentary
job). Additional features might include the ability to monitor heart rate and sleep activity,
waterproof devices that can be worn in the shower or pool, advanced personal training
features, relaxation tools and integration with social networks.
IT at Work 1.2
1. What are two reasons why Zulpo had trouble finding qualified IT talent?
First, finding the talent and determining if they have the necessary skills and experience
and second, finding the qualified talent at a time when very few IT workers are out of
, @ProfdocDigitalLibraries <Best Online Study Materials>
work. The unemployment rate for tech workers is about 2%, according to reports on
recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016).
2. What type of position(s) was Zulpo trying to fill?
A senior project manager, a network analyst and a help desk worker.
3. What methods would you recommend to Zulpo help him in his efforts to recruit new IT
personnel?
Answers may vary. Provided competitive benefits such as a signing bonus, additional paid
time off, flexible work schedule or work-from-home days.
Review Questions
1.1 Doing Business in the On-Demand Economy
1. What precipitated the on-demand economy?
Answers may vary. Years of technological innovation and a change in consumer behavior
laid the foundation for an on-demand economy. As technology companies have become
more digitized, they are looking for ways to bring together consumers and providers of
products and services focusing on speed, ease and convenience. A low barrier to enter the
on-demand economy enables competition and growth.
2. How is IT contributing to the success of the on-demand economy?
Answers may vary. The proliferation of smartphone-connected consumers, simple and
secure purchase flows and location-based services are market conditions and
technological innovations that propel the on-demand economy forward. Companies are
focused on the strategic use of technology platforms that consist of hardware, software,
and networks that provide connectivity for diverse transactions, such as ordering,
tracking, user authentication, and payments.
3. List the six IT business objectives.
1) Product development
2) Stakeholder integration
3) Process improvement
4) Cost efficiencies
5) Competitive advantages
6) Globalization
4. What are the key strategic and tactical questions that determine an organization’s
profitability and management performance?
• Strategic direction:
o What do we do?
o What is our direction?