CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Information
Systems
Chapter Overview
1.1 Why Should I Study Information Systems?
1.2 Overview of Computer-Based Information Systems
1.3 How Does IT Impact Organizations?
1.4 Importance of Information Systems to Society
Learning Objectives
1. Begin the process of becoming an informed user of your organizations’ information
systems.
2. Define the terms data, information, and knowledge, and give examples of each.
3. Define the terms information technology, information system, computer-based
information system, and application.
4. Identify three ways in which you depend on information technology in your daily life.
5. Discuss three ways in which information technology can impact managers and three
ways in which it can impact non-managerial workers.
6. List three positive and three negative societal effects of the increased use of
information technology.
Teaching Tips and Strategies
, Most students believe that they possess an extensive knowledge of information
systems because they use the Internet. In reality, they have only scratched the surface of
the power of modern technology when they use Facebook or Twitter. Businesses have been
using information technology and information systems for decades, far longer than the
newest social media sites have been available.
An example that you can use to illustrate the power of technology is your school.
One suggestion for bringing the technology to the students is to invite someone from either
the help desk or the information technology department to talk to the students about how
computers help the school function. Some examples are student records, including grades;
human resources; and specialized software used in some departments (such as the sciences,
mathematics, engineering, and others). An explanation of how the computer laboratories
are designed and used, including access to the Internet, will be of interest to the students.
Technology also exists in the smart phones and tablet devices that are prevalent
today. Students have become used to using these devices, and they don’t realize that what
they are really using is a hand-held computer. The devices have an operating system, just
like the laptop or desktop computer that they own. Pointing this out to students will give
them a new understanding of the power of technology.
Although the text is aimed at business students, there may be some students who
are interested in a career in the IT world. Once again, the information technology
department could provide a guest speaker to discuss the positions that are available in that
department. The world of e-commerce has also opened opportunities for IT jobs, and many
business students may be interested in that area for the future. The director of your IT
department would also be a good guest speaker. If you have access to a smart classroom,
you could even invite someone from an IT department in a business to speak to the students
virtually.
It is very important to link computer systems to the business world. Business
students are aware of the need for information systems in marketing, accounting, finance,
and other aspects of business. Information technology ranks right up there with those
critical systems in a business, and it is important to emphasize this to students. Computers
are used for much more than simply playing games and keeping up with friends. Rather,
they are a very important part of the business world today.
OPENING CASE – E-Mealz
1. Provide two examples of how Jane uses information technology to provide her service.
Jane uses a Web site to host her E-Mealz plans. She also uses Twitter and Facebook
to stay in contact with her customers as well as to advertise her products. The Web
, site provides the opportunity to sign up for a newsletter, set up meal plans, and
access nutritional information.
2. Provide two additional examples of how Jane might use information technology to
improve her service. Be specific.
The Web site could be used to create reminders (sent via e-mail, Facebook, or
Twitter) to users about upcoming events and meal plans for holidays, as well as to
provide coupons from online grocers. One way to promote use of the site would be
to create a recipe contest. Jane already allows participants to post recipes, so a
contest would involve giving away something that relates directly to her E-Mealz
Web site.
Review Questions
Section 1.1 – Before you go on…
1. Rate yourself as an informed user. (Be honest; this isn’t a test!)
The definition of ‘informed user’ is someone who is knowledgeable about
information systems and information technology. Students may list the things they
know about how to use the Internet (downloading music and movies, using
Facebook and Twitter, using e-mail), but most non-technical students have only
scratched the surface of information technology. You can give them some examples
from business about how computers are used. (For example, do they know that an
ATM machine at a bank is really a computer terminal?) Knowing more about this
technology will enhance their use of it in the future.
2. Explain the benefits of being an informed user of information systems.
Being an informed user helps users to understand what information systems can do
so that they can make better decisions about how to apply this technology in the
business world. Employees can make a better contribution to their work (and
home) environment when they understand what the technology can do for them.
Being able to recommend an aspect of information systems that may not have been
introduced in the past will make a new graduate a more valuable asset to an
organization. Keeping up with technology is very difficult in today’s fast-paced,
constantly changing technological world. Knowing about the technology and where
to find information is critical to keeping up with that technology.
, 3. Discuss the various career opportunities offered in the IT field.
The primary IT career positions are programmers, business analysts, systems analysts,
and designers. These are the traditional positions that are filled in an IT department.
Newer positions have also been added because of the extensive use of the Internet by
organizations. Security, mobile commerce, networks, and telecommunications and
multimedia are some of the newer career positions in IT. Many managerial positions
also exist, including: CIO; Director of IS; Computer Center Manager; Project, Systems,
Operations, and Programming Managers; Network and Database Managers; Database
Administrator; Webmaster and Web Designer.
Section 1.2 - Before you go on…
1. What is a computer-based information system?
A computer-based information system gathers information, processes and analyzes
the information, and then distributes that information to those employees in the
organization who will use the information for business purposes. These processes
are performed by a computer system of some type, either a PC or a mainframe that
is maintained by the organization
2. Describe the components of computer-based information systems.
A computer-based information system is composed of six parts: (1) hardware,
which is the physical computer itself; (2) software, which refers to the programs
that do the work required of the computer; (3) a database, which is made up of files
that are related in some way; (4) the network, which is the way that all the
computers talk to one another in the organization (and outside of it); (5) procedures
—sometimes called protocols — which are the rules or instructions on how all the
other components work together to generate the required information; and (6)
people; specifically, the individuals who provide the input and use the output from
the computer system.
3. What is an application program?
An application program performs a specific function in a computer system. For
instance, an organization might use a payroll program to collect information on all
of its employees, keep track of changes in employment status, and generate
paychecks. Only one department accesses this application program. Other specific
application programs could be a set of programs for the accounting department,
programs that run machinery in a production department, or application programs
Systems
Chapter Overview
1.1 Why Should I Study Information Systems?
1.2 Overview of Computer-Based Information Systems
1.3 How Does IT Impact Organizations?
1.4 Importance of Information Systems to Society
Learning Objectives
1. Begin the process of becoming an informed user of your organizations’ information
systems.
2. Define the terms data, information, and knowledge, and give examples of each.
3. Define the terms information technology, information system, computer-based
information system, and application.
4. Identify three ways in which you depend on information technology in your daily life.
5. Discuss three ways in which information technology can impact managers and three
ways in which it can impact non-managerial workers.
6. List three positive and three negative societal effects of the increased use of
information technology.
Teaching Tips and Strategies
, Most students believe that they possess an extensive knowledge of information
systems because they use the Internet. In reality, they have only scratched the surface of
the power of modern technology when they use Facebook or Twitter. Businesses have been
using information technology and information systems for decades, far longer than the
newest social media sites have been available.
An example that you can use to illustrate the power of technology is your school.
One suggestion for bringing the technology to the students is to invite someone from either
the help desk or the information technology department to talk to the students about how
computers help the school function. Some examples are student records, including grades;
human resources; and specialized software used in some departments (such as the sciences,
mathematics, engineering, and others). An explanation of how the computer laboratories
are designed and used, including access to the Internet, will be of interest to the students.
Technology also exists in the smart phones and tablet devices that are prevalent
today. Students have become used to using these devices, and they don’t realize that what
they are really using is a hand-held computer. The devices have an operating system, just
like the laptop or desktop computer that they own. Pointing this out to students will give
them a new understanding of the power of technology.
Although the text is aimed at business students, there may be some students who
are interested in a career in the IT world. Once again, the information technology
department could provide a guest speaker to discuss the positions that are available in that
department. The world of e-commerce has also opened opportunities for IT jobs, and many
business students may be interested in that area for the future. The director of your IT
department would also be a good guest speaker. If you have access to a smart classroom,
you could even invite someone from an IT department in a business to speak to the students
virtually.
It is very important to link computer systems to the business world. Business
students are aware of the need for information systems in marketing, accounting, finance,
and other aspects of business. Information technology ranks right up there with those
critical systems in a business, and it is important to emphasize this to students. Computers
are used for much more than simply playing games and keeping up with friends. Rather,
they are a very important part of the business world today.
OPENING CASE – E-Mealz
1. Provide two examples of how Jane uses information technology to provide her service.
Jane uses a Web site to host her E-Mealz plans. She also uses Twitter and Facebook
to stay in contact with her customers as well as to advertise her products. The Web
, site provides the opportunity to sign up for a newsletter, set up meal plans, and
access nutritional information.
2. Provide two additional examples of how Jane might use information technology to
improve her service. Be specific.
The Web site could be used to create reminders (sent via e-mail, Facebook, or
Twitter) to users about upcoming events and meal plans for holidays, as well as to
provide coupons from online grocers. One way to promote use of the site would be
to create a recipe contest. Jane already allows participants to post recipes, so a
contest would involve giving away something that relates directly to her E-Mealz
Web site.
Review Questions
Section 1.1 – Before you go on…
1. Rate yourself as an informed user. (Be honest; this isn’t a test!)
The definition of ‘informed user’ is someone who is knowledgeable about
information systems and information technology. Students may list the things they
know about how to use the Internet (downloading music and movies, using
Facebook and Twitter, using e-mail), but most non-technical students have only
scratched the surface of information technology. You can give them some examples
from business about how computers are used. (For example, do they know that an
ATM machine at a bank is really a computer terminal?) Knowing more about this
technology will enhance their use of it in the future.
2. Explain the benefits of being an informed user of information systems.
Being an informed user helps users to understand what information systems can do
so that they can make better decisions about how to apply this technology in the
business world. Employees can make a better contribution to their work (and
home) environment when they understand what the technology can do for them.
Being able to recommend an aspect of information systems that may not have been
introduced in the past will make a new graduate a more valuable asset to an
organization. Keeping up with technology is very difficult in today’s fast-paced,
constantly changing technological world. Knowing about the technology and where
to find information is critical to keeping up with that technology.
, 3. Discuss the various career opportunities offered in the IT field.
The primary IT career positions are programmers, business analysts, systems analysts,
and designers. These are the traditional positions that are filled in an IT department.
Newer positions have also been added because of the extensive use of the Internet by
organizations. Security, mobile commerce, networks, and telecommunications and
multimedia are some of the newer career positions in IT. Many managerial positions
also exist, including: CIO; Director of IS; Computer Center Manager; Project, Systems,
Operations, and Programming Managers; Network and Database Managers; Database
Administrator; Webmaster and Web Designer.
Section 1.2 - Before you go on…
1. What is a computer-based information system?
A computer-based information system gathers information, processes and analyzes
the information, and then distributes that information to those employees in the
organization who will use the information for business purposes. These processes
are performed by a computer system of some type, either a PC or a mainframe that
is maintained by the organization
2. Describe the components of computer-based information systems.
A computer-based information system is composed of six parts: (1) hardware,
which is the physical computer itself; (2) software, which refers to the programs
that do the work required of the computer; (3) a database, which is made up of files
that are related in some way; (4) the network, which is the way that all the
computers talk to one another in the organization (and outside of it); (5) procedures
—sometimes called protocols — which are the rules or instructions on how all the
other components work together to generate the required information; and (6)
people; specifically, the individuals who provide the input and use the output from
the computer system.
3. What is an application program?
An application program performs a specific function in a computer system. For
instance, an organization might use a payroll program to collect information on all
of its employees, keep track of changes in employment status, and generate
paychecks. Only one department accesses this application program. Other specific
application programs could be a set of programs for the accounting department,
programs that run machinery in a production department, or application programs
