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Book Contents
Ch. 2
Gaining Competitive Advantage with DSS
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Audit Questions
- Does the firm have any Strategic Information Systems?
- Is IS/IT planning and strategy focused on strategic questions?
- Is IS/IT used appropriately given the company's situation?
- Are business processes designed for effective use of IS/IT?
- Has the corporate culture had a positive or negative impact on the IS/IT strategy the firm is implementing?
- Has the firm examined its business processes from a customer service and information technology perspective?
Questions for Review
- What criteria must a Decision Support System meet if we are to conclude it provides an organization with a competitive advantage?
- What is an example of a DSS that provides a company with a competitive advantage? Define competitive advantage.
- What are the potential benefits of a Decision Support System?
Questions for Further Thought
- Why do managers want to create a competitive advantage for their organization?
- Why do managers investigate information systems and information technologies as potential sources of competitive advantage?
- DSS can often be very costly to design, build, implement and maintain. The failure rate can be 50% or more for some systems. How much risk should managers accept as they search for a competitive advantage?
- How can a DSS change the competitive dynamics in an industry? Provide new services? Provide new products?
- What is the impact of Information Systems and Information Technology on organizations?
An Internet Exercise
Use a search engine and visit the web sites of Frito-Lay, L. L. Bean, and Mrs. Field’s Cookies and try to update the information provided in the chapter. Do their DSS and Strategic Information Systems continue to provide a competitive advantage?
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