EXAMINATION PAPER: ACADEMIC SESSION 2007/2008

Campus Maritime Greenwich

School Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Department Information Systems and Multimedia

Level Three

TITLE OF PAPER Information Systems Management

COURSE CODE COMP 1486

Date and Time Saturday 7th June 2008 (2 Hours)

BAHRAIN 15:00 GREECE 15:00

HONG KONG 18:30 LONDON 13:00
MALTA 15:00 MALAYSIA 18:30
SINGAPORE 18:30 SYRIA 16:00
TANZANIA 16:00 TRINIDAD 09:30
U.A.E 17:00 ZAMBIA 15:00

You MUST answer question 1 from Section A which is worth 40 marks AND any 2
questions from Section B which are worth 30 marks each.

If you answer more than two questions from Section B, marks will ONLY be awarded
for your TWO best answers.
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Section A (Compulsory)

1. Many organisations are not convinced that information technology can deliver
significant competitive advantage. They reason that computer technology may
be necessary for them to run their businesses but the technology is equally
available to all and has little impact on their competitive position.

a) Discuss what is meant by information technology delivering ‘significant

competitive advantage’.
[10 marks]

b) Discuss the reasons why organisations have taken this view of computer
technology.
[20 marks]

c) How can the reasons given in b) above be remedied?

[10 marks]

Section B (answer any TWO questions)

2. The introduction of new information systems to the workplace often involves

changes to employees working practices.

a) Why might staff object to a change in their working practices?

[10 marks]

b) What methods might staff use when resisting the introduction of a new
information system?
[10 marks]

c) How might the organisation manage the change to new staff working practices
when introducing a new information system?

[10 marks]

Information Systems Management

COMP 1486
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3. Many organisations are experiencing significant growth in the development of

information systems applications by end-users.

a) Briefly explain the term end-user development.

[5 marks]

b) Discuss the reasons why this increase has taken place.

[10 marks]

c) Information systems managers can try to restrict and prevent end user
development or control and manage it. Suggest a strategy they might use to
manage end user-development.
[15 marks]

4. Organisations are sometimes worried about the increasing levels of investment

in information systems. In particular they wonder whether they are getting
value for money for their investment.

a) Discuss the concept of value for money as applied to information systems

investment.
[15 marks]

b) Examine the issues senior management should consider when assessing the
future value of information systems investments.
[15 marks]

Information Systems Management

COMP 1486
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