Management Information Systems 6204

Sample Final Exam

Chapters 6-11, 13

6-7. Your text defines data communications as a term which is used to describes the
transmitting and receiving of data over communication links between one or more
computer systems and a variety if input/output terminals.

6-14. Your text outlines four strategic capabilities of telecommunications and other information
technologies. Overall, it can be said that the business value created by the business
applications of telecommunications helps a company overcome geographic, time,
cost, and structural barriers in order to realize business success.

6-20. The explosive growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web has spawned a host of new
telecommunications products, services, and providers. Driving and responding to
this growth, business firms have dramatically increased their use of the Internet and
the Web for electronic commerce and collaboration.

6.32. A major industry trend in telecommunications is toward a greater number of competitive

vendors, services, Internet technologies, and open systems, and the rapid growth of the
Internet, the World Wide Web, and corporate intranets and extranets, drastically increases
the number of feasible telecommunications applications.

6-160. Your text discusses many types of telecommunications media. The biggest advantage
of fiber optics in telecommunications networks is:
A) Has a much lower error data rate than other media
B) Conduct light pulses generated by lasers at very high transmission rates.
C) Provide substantial size and weight reductions as well as increased speed and
greater carrying capacity.
D) Security advantage as fiber optics are difficult to splice when making
connections.

6-166. An electronic device which lets a single high speed communication channel carry
simultaneous data transmission from terminals on low speed channels is called
a(n):
A) Acoustic coupler.
B) Common carrier.
C) Compactor.
D) Multiplexer.

6-173. In a telecommunications network, the functions of telecommunications software

include:
A) Processing individual applications.
B) Controlling the operating system.
C) Queuing of transmission requests.
D) Provide back-end processing.

6-176. In a telecommunications network, the functions of telecommunications software

 include:
A) Security management.
B) Error control.
C) Back-end processor management.
D) Both A and B are correct.

6- 190. The Internet's protocol suite is known as:

A) TCP/IP
B) ISO
C) OSI
D) None of the above

7-78 Your text discusses the organization of data in an information system. A field represents:
A. One character of data.
B. An attribute of an entity.
C. An entity.
D. A set of entities.

7-84 The database management approach includes which one of the following characteristics:
A. Computer programs for each data processing application have independent data files.
B. Creating and maintaining an independent data file is a basic data processing activity.
C. Data needed by different data processing applications is consolidated and integrated
into a common pool of data, or database.
D. Processing of data consists of updating and using independent data files to produce
information needed by each user.

7-89 Which one of the following is a basic processing function of database management
systems? They:
A. Provide access for programs to independent data files.
B. Provide capabilities to insure the operation of storage devices.
C. Provide inquiry-response capability for easy interrogation of a database.
D. Provide maintenance of independent data files.

7-96 Which statement most accurately describes an operational databases:

A. Store detailed data needed to support the operations of the entire organization.
B. Store data and information extracted from selected operational and external
databases.
C. Store data from current and previous years that has been extracted from the various
operational and management databases of an organization.
D. Are databases of local work groups and departments.

7-105 Which statement best describes the process of database administration:

A. Is responsible for the proper use of database management technology.
B. Is a corporate planning and analysis function that focuses on data resource
management.
C. Involves the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures for managing
data as a strategic corporate resource.
8-76 According to the information in your text, the leading business use of the Internet has
been to:
A. Collaborate with others.
B. Gather information.
C. Research competitors.
D. Communicate internally.

8-81 The interactive marketing process includes a choice between push or pull marketing
methods. That is, marketing material can be put on customers= or prospects= computer
screens using either push or pull technologies. Pull technology:
A. Relies on you to access the service of the Internet or the Web using your web
browser.
B. Relies primarily on software to automatically transmit a variety of information from
the Web or other sources to your PC.
3. Both A and B apply to the pull marketing method.
4. All of the above are correct.

8-86 According to the one hundred top-rated Internet-using organizations surveyed on what
business value companies derived from their business applications on the Internet, which
one was number one?
1. Cost savings
2. Customer service
3. Revenue generating
4. Marketing

8-94 Which one of the following would be considered a prime business value of the Internet
as it relates to customer service?:
A. Keep customers loyal
B. Anticipate customers future needs and provide quality service
C. Respond to customer concerns and improve customer service
D. All of the above

8-95 Companies engage in three basic categories of electronic commerce applications. Which
one of the following would not be included in these categories?
1. Business-to-consumer
2. Business-to-business
3. Internal business processes
4. Information management and retrieval.

9-74 An intranet is defined as:

1. An inter-like network within an organization. Web browser software provides easy
access to internal web sites established by business units, teams, and individuals, and other
network resources and applications.
B. A rapidly growing network of thousands of business, educational, and research
networks connecting millions of computers and their users in over 100 countries.
C. A network that links selected resources of the intranet of a company with its
 customers, suppliers, and other business partners, using the Internet or private
networks to link the organization=s intranets.
4. All of the above are apply.

9-76 Intranets can significantly improve information publishing and sharing within an
enterprise. Which one of the following would not be considered characteristic of the
developing and publishing of hyperlinked multimedia documents to hypermedia
databases accessible on World Wide Web servers.
A. Difficulty of publishing and accessing multimedia business information.
B. Ease of publishing and accessing multimedia business information.
C. Attractiveness of publishing and accessing multimedia business information.
D. Lower cost of publishing and accessing multimedia business information.

9-77 Which one of the following components would not be considered information
technology that makes the Internet possible?
A. TCP/IP client/server networks and related software and hardware
B. Web browsers and server suites
C HTML web publishing software, and network management and security programs.
D. Spreadsheet programs systems

9-78 Your text outlines several examples of the business value of intranets. One of these is
publication cost savings. Which one of the following would not be considered as a
major source of cost savings?
A. Reduction in printing costs
B. Reduction in mailing costs
C. Reduction in distribution costs
D. All of the above apply.

9-81 The goal of enterprise collaboration systems is to enable us to work together more easily
and effectively by helping us to communicate. Which one of the following statements
best applies to the concept of coordination?
A. Share information with each other.
B. Organize our individual work efforts and use of resources with each other.
C. Work together cooperatively on joint projects and assignments.
D. None of the above apply.

10-119 Which one of the following information systems would be not be considered a type of
information systems that would be used to support a business function?
1. Production/operations information system
2. Marketing information system
3. Performance monitor information system
4. Accounting information system

10-120 Information systems in the real world typically are integrated combinations of two or
more functional information systems which are commonly referred to as:
A. Management information systems.
 B. Cross-functional information systems.
C. Enterprise information systems.
D. Operational planning systems.

10-121 Which one of the following would be a computer application in marketing?:

A. Capital budgeting.
B. Sales management.
C. Credit management.
D. Portfolio management.

10-125 Which one of the following statements would best describe the concept of advertising
and promotion?
A. Plan, monitor, and support the performance of products, product lines, and brands.
B. Help select media and promotional methods and control and evaluate advertising and
promotion results.
C. Produce short-and long-range sales forecasts.
D. Collect and analyse internal and external data on market variables, developments,
and trends.

10-134 CAD, CAM, and CIM are all examples of:

A. Computer-based manufacturing information systems.
B. Computer-based human resource management information systems.
C. Computer-based accounting information systems.
D. Computer-based financial information systems.

11-109 Decisions made at the operational management level tend to be more:

A. Structured decisions
B. Semistructured decisions
C. Unstructured decisions
D. Hybrid decisions

11-123 Which one of the following systems would be considered as the original type of
management support system:
A. Artificial intelligence systems
B. Fuzzy logic systems
C. Expert systems
D. Management information systems

11-135 Decision support systems are a major category of management support systems. Which
one of the following statements would not fit this category:
A. Analytical models and specialized databases.
B. Decision maker=s own insights and judgements.
C. Interactive, computer-based modelling process to support managers decisions.
D. Extensive use of cognitive science and robotics.

11-138 Using a decision support system involves several basic types of analytical modelling
 activities. Which one of the following analysis would be best used to answer the
following question: What if we cut advertising by 10 percent? What would happen to
sales?:
A. Sensitivity analysis.
B. Optimization analysis.
C. What-if analysis.
D. Goal seeking analysis.

11-149 Executive information systems (EIS) are information systems that combine many of the
features of management information systems and decision support systems. Which one
of the following statements would not apply to EIS=s:
A. Provide management with immediate and easy access to information about the firms
critical success factors.
B. Are most useful to managers at the operational level of management.
C. Provide information to support the intelligence stage of the decision making process.
D. Are most helpful in supporting unstructured decision making processes.

13-105 Computer-based information systems:

A. Have had more impact on the number of supervisory personnel in organizations than
was originally predicted.
B. Have caused significant reductions in the number of people required to perform
manual tasks in many organizations.
C. Have caused reductions in the number of knowledge workers required in
organizations.
D. Have caused dramatic decreases in middle managers as businesses have decreased
the depth and scope of their operations.

13-114 Which one of the following is not one of the basic components of an organization
according to the sociotechnical systems view?:
A. People.
B. Tasks.
C. Data.
D. Technology.

13-116 Your text outlines five major dimensions of information resource management. The
IRM function of distributed management deals with:
A. Data and information issues
B. Hardware and software issues
C. Telecommunications networks
D. IS resources in business units or work groups

13-120 Many companies have created a senior management position in their organizations. The
chief information officer (CIO):
A. Is a mid level management position.
B. Oversees the use of all information technology in the organization except
telecommunications services and office automation systems.
 C. Is primarily responsible for directing day-to-day information service activities.
D. Is responsible for implementing an information resource management role for
information services, and for helping to develop strategic systems within the firm.

13-123 The decentralization of information services within an organization is currently being

supported by:
A. The development of supercomputers.
B. The development of microcomputers and distributed processing networks of
computers at the corporate, department and work group level.
C. The development of large mainframe computers and centralized computer centres.
D. The development of telecommunications.

13-131 Because of the nature of the market for programmers and analysts, one of management's
most difficult problems with them is:
A. Alcoholism.
B. Computer crime.
C. Personality problems.
D. Retaining them.

13-133 The information services group with responsibility for identifying, introducing and
monitoring the assimilation of new information systems technologies in an organization
is called:
A. Capacity management.
B. Technology management.
C. Network management.
D. System performance monitors.

13-136 Managing Internet access within organizations is a major new management

responsibility. Providing Internet access to employees raises several challenging
managerial issues. These include:
A. Network capacity and to ensure legitimate worktime use of the Internet by
employees
B. Liability for the contents of employee E-mail on the Net
C. Developing company standards for Internet use
D. All of the above apply

13-137 Which one of the following is not a major dimension of global IT cultural, political, and
geoeconomic challenges?:
A. Global business and IT strategies.
B. Global business and IT application portfolios.
C. Global IT platforms.
D. Global software management.

13-138 Global IT management must focus on:

A. Managing and developing global IT business strategies
B. Managing global application portfolios and global technologies and platforms
C. Managing global databases and systems development projects
D. All of the above
13-139 Which one of the following is not a cultural challenges in global IT:
A. Languages and interests
B. Living and labour costs.
C. Religions and customs.
D. Social attitudes and political philosophies

13-140 Which one of the following is not a geoeconomic challenge in global IT:
A. Transborder data flows.
B. 24 time zones.
C. Physical distances.
D. Job skills.

13-141 The trend in global business and IT strategies is towards a:

A. Transnational strategy
B. Inter-multinational strategy
C. International strategy
D. Global strategy

13-146 Which one of the following statements concerning the effect of computers on global
competition is true?:
A. Information technology does not improve the efficiency of large, global firms.
B. Even small firms can now take advantage of the productivity and efficiency of
computer-based information systems.
C. Information technology makes the use of branch offices less efficient.
D. Global firms do not worry about the quality of telecommunications service in foreign
countries.

13-147 Which one of the following statements about global IT platforms is true?:
A. Hardware choices are difficult in some countries because of high tariffs and import
restrictions.
B. Software packages are compatible in all countries when you buy from the same
hardware vendor.
C. Hardware choices are easier in global markets than in the US because of short lead
times for government approvals.
D. Increasing hardware costs are one of the chief reasons for the trend toward the use
of global IT.

13-153 Organizations use different strategies to solve systems development problems that arise
in global information technology. In the centre of excellence approach:
A. Key people from several subsidiaries are used to ensure that the system design meets
the needs of local sites as well as corporate headquarters.
B. Transform an application used by the home office into a global application.
C. Parts of the system are assigned to different subsidiaries and the home office to
develop at the same time, based on the expertise and experience at each site.
D. An entire system may be assigned for development to a particular subsidiary based
on their expertise in the business or technical dimensions needed for successful
development.
 Management Information Systems
Final Exam Answer Sheet
Chapters 7-12, 14

6-7. True Difficulty: Easy CKC: 6-1 Page: 220

6-14. True Difficulty: Med CKC: 6-2 Page: 221
6-20. True Difficulty: Easy CKC: 6-3 Page: 222
6-32. True Difficulty: Med CKC: 6-3 Page: 225
6-160. D Difficulty: Easy CKC: 6-9 Page: 239
6-166. D Difficulty: Hard CKC: 6-10 Page: 243
6-173. C Difficulty: Hard CKC: 6-11 Page: 244
6-176. D Difficulty: Med CKC: 6-11 Page: 245
6-190. A Difficulty: Med CKC: 6-13 Page: 248
7-78 B Difficulty: Easy CKC: 7-1 Page: 266
7-84 C Difficulty: Med CKC: 7-2 Page: 268
7-89 C Difficulty: Hard CKC: 7-3 Page: 269
7-96 A Difficulty: Med CKC: 7-4 Page: 273
7-107 A Difficulty: Med CKC: 7-6 Page: 276
8-76 B Difficulty: Easy CKC: 8-1 Page: 306
8-81 A Difficulty: Med CKC: 8-2 Page: 311
8-86 A Difficulty: Med CKC: 8-3 Page: 314
8-94 D Difficulty: Easy CKC: 8-4 Page: 318
8-95 D Difficulty: Med CKC: 8-5 Page: 323
9-74 A Difficulty: Med CKC: 9-1 Page: 350
9-76 A Difficulty: Med CKC: 9-2 Page: 355
9-77 D Difficulty: Easy CKC: 9-3 Page: 357
9-78 D Difficulty: Med CKC: 9-4 Page: 360
9-82 B Difficulty: Easy CKC: 9-7 Page: 370
10-119 C Difficulty: Easy CKC: 10-1 Page: 404
10-120 B Difficulty: Med CKC: 10-2 Page: 408
10-121 B Difficulty: Med CKC: 10-3 Page: 408
10-125 B Difficulty: Med CKC: 10-4 Page: 411
10-134 A Difficulty: Med CKC: 10-5 Page: 413
11-109 A Difficulty: Easy CKC: 11-1 Page: 457
11-123 D Difficulty: Med CKC: 11-2 Page: 457
11-135 D Difficulty: Med CKC: 11-3 Page: 462
11-138 C Difficulty: Hard CKC: 11-5 Page: 467
11-149 B Difficulty: Med CKC: 11-6 Page: 469
13-105 B Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-1 Page: 566
13-114 C Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-2 Page: 570
13-116 D Difficulty: Easy CKC: 13-3 Page: 570
13-120 D Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-4 Page: 573
13-123 B Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-5 Page: 574
13-131 D Difficulty: Hard CKC: 13-6 Page: 580
13-133 B Difficulty: Easy CKC: 13-7 Page: 581
13-136 D Difficulty: Easy CKC: 13-8 Page: 586
13-137 D Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-9 Page: 588
13-138 D Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-10 Page: 588
13-139 B Difficulty: Easy CKC: 13-11 Page: 588
13-140 A Difficulty: Easy CKC: 13-12 Page: 588
13-141 A Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-13 Page: 593
13-146 B Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-14 Page: 594
13-147 A Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-15 Page: 596
13-153 D Difficulty: Med CKC: 13-16 Page: 601