Instructions For Week 5 Mid Term Exam Isas600

CLEANED: Instructions week 5 Mid Term Exam the Isas600 Mid Term

The ISAS600 Mid-Term Exam is available below. Prepare your answers in a Microsoft Word document in APA Format which includes the Title Page, Paragraph Formats, Cites and References. Abstract and Table of Content are not required for exams. Be sure that your answers directly answer the questions asked and that they are "keyed" to the specific part of the question. Your answers should be concise while covering all applicable points/issues.

Be sure to incorporate the topics covered to date in your answers and cite references. Book cites must contain the Page Number. Spell and grammar check your document before submitting it. Attach your Word file to the "MidTerm" Assignment within the "Assignments" area of the Classroom. Title of your Word File should be "surnameMidTermExam", where Surname = your surname.

All student work should be their own and reflect the learning/reinforcement of known concepts that he/she has obtained in this course. Students should support their answers with cites appropriately formatted and properly documented on the Reference Page. I am looking for your ability to be creative and persuasive, not a particular "right" answer. Be sure that your answers directly answer the questions asked and that they are "keyed" to the specific part of the question. Your answers should be concise while covering all applicable points/issues.

Exams will be graded on the following criteria: Logic – development of an argument, citing evidence to justify your position, and presenting it convincingly and coherently. Content – your answers should incorporate and appropriately cite material covered in the textbook, lecturettes, discussions and URLs into your responses. Be sure to support your answers with appropriate cites and to document all cites on a Reference Page. Paraphrased information does not require quotes, but copied information does. Note that exams are intended to measure what you have learned, they are not research assignments. Well organized, concise and succinct answers that directly address the questions asked.

Although your answers should be concise and succinct, be sure that they address all phases of the question asked. Writing – proper writing, including spelling, grammar and punctuation. Original Work: Exam Answers must be original work written by you specifically for this course. Recognizing that answers without cites are simply your personal opinions, your answers should be supported with appropriate cites consisting of classroom material covered in the textbook, lecturettes, discussions and URL (Universal Resource Locators) cited in the discussions. Be sure to properly format cites and fully document them on the Reference Page of your exam.

Cites should be integrated into your answers not stand alone. Paraphrased information does not require quotes, but copied information does. Cites without appropriate explanations are not proper answers to exam questions. Note that exams are intended to measure what you have learned, they are not research assignments.

Paper For Above instruction

Information technology (IT) has become an integral component of modern business operations, providing organizations with the tools and systems necessary to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and gain a competitive advantage. This paper explores how IT supports business processes and decision-making, exemplified through real-world cases, examines the role of agile companies in leveraging IT strategically, discusses "Big Data" and its applications, forecasts future hardware and internet developments influencing business, and interprets Peter Keen’s assertion regarding the true source of competitive edge in organizations.

IT Support for Business Processes and Decision Making

Information technology enables businesses to automate routine tasks, improve efficiency, and facilitate real-time data collection and analysis, which in turn supports better decision-making. For example, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems integrate core business processes such as finance, supply chain, and customer relationship management, providing managers with comprehensive data to make informed decisions (Laudon & Laudon, 2020, p. 335). Similarly, data analytics tools help firms analyze vast amounts of data to identify trends, forecast demand, and optimize operations.

IT also facilitates decision-making through Business Intelligence (BI) systems that aggregate and analyze data from disparate sources, transforming data into actionable insights (Sharda et al., 2018, p. 112). For example, retail giants like Amazon utilize advanced analytics to personalize shopping experiences, predict customer preferences, and optimize logistics, which secures a competitive advantage (Christopher, 2016).

Examples of Agile Companies and Strategic Use of IT

Agile companies are characterized by their ability to quickly adapt to changing market conditions, innovate rapidly, and respond effectively to customer needs. An illustrative example is Netflix, which leverages cloud computing and data-driven algorithms to rapidly develop new features and content recommendations. Netflix’s agility stems from its use of scalable cloud infrastructure (Amazon Web Services) and real-time data analytics, enabling it to innovate quickly without the constraints of traditional IT infrastructure (Mayer-Schönberger & Cukier, 2013).

By using agile development methodologies and flexible IT architectures, Netflix can continuously update its platform, personalize content, and expand into new markets efficiently, thus maintaining a competitive edge. This strategic use of IT exemplifies agility as a means to swiftly adapt to industry trends and customer preferences (McAfee & Brynjolfsson, 2017).

Big Data: Definition, Applications, Pros, and Cons

"Big Data" refers to extremely large datasets that cannot be processed efficiently using traditional databases, requiring advanced analytics and storage solutions (Mayer-Schönberger & Cukier, 2013). It encompasses Volume, Velocity, and Variety—the three V’s—making data analysis complex but potentially transformative.

Potential applications of Big Data include personalized marketing, predictive maintenance, fraud detection, healthcare diagnostics, and smart city initiatives (Katal et al., 2013). For example, predictive analytics in healthcare can forecast disease outbreaks, improving response times and resource allocation (Wang et al., 2018).

Pros of Big Data include improved decision-making accuracy, operational efficiencies, and the creation of innovative products/services. However, its cons involve privacy concerns, high implementation costs, data security risks, and the challenge of managing and analyzing massive datasets (Chen et al., 2014). Organizations must carefully balance these factors when deploying Big Data solutions.

Future Hardware and Internet Developments

Over the next decade, developments such as quantum computing, 5G networks, edge computing, and improved semiconductor technology are expected to revolutionize business computing. Quantum computers will dramatically increase processing speeds, handling complex calculations in finance, logistics, and research (Arute et al., 2019).

5G technology will enable faster, more reliable internet connectivity, fostering innovations in IoT devices, autonomous vehicles, and remote work (Kodama et al., 2020). Edge computing, bringing data processing closer to devices and sensors, will reduce latency and bandwidth costs, supporting real-time analytics in manufacturing and healthcare (Shi et al., 2016).

These innovations will enhance business capabilities by enabling real-time decision-making, improving automation, and expanding the scope of applications—transforming the digital landscape significantly.

Management and Technology: Insights from Peter Keen

Peter Keen’s assertion that “it is not technology that creates a competitive edge, but the management process that exploits technology” emphasizes that technology alone does not confer strategic advantage. Instead, organizations must effectively incorporate and manage technological resources to optimize their processes and outcomes (Keen, 1991).

I agree to an extent because technology is a facilitator rather than a driver of competitive advantage. Companies like Amazon and Google succeed because of their innovative management practices, organizational culture, and effective exploitation of technology (Porter & Heppelmann, 2014). Without strategic management, technology investments may not translate into meaningful benefits.

Proper management ensures that technological tools are aligned with business goals, allow for agility, and foster innovation, all crucial for sustainable competitive advantage (Teece, 2014).

Conclusion

In conclusion, information technology substantially supports business processes and decision-making, providing a pathway to competitive advantage when strategically managed. Agile companies exemplify how leveraging IT for rapid adaptation and innovation sustains market leadership. Big Data, with its vast potential and challenges, is reshaping industries through insights and efficiencies. Future hardware and internet developments promise to further transform business operations, and an effective management approach remains central to harnessing these technological advancements for strategic success.

References

• Arute, F., et al. (2019). Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor. Nature, 574(7779), 505–510.
• Chen, M., Mao, S., & Liu, Y. (2014). Big data: A survey. Mobile Networks and Applications, 19(2), 171–209.
• Katal, A., Wazid, M., & Goudar, R. H. (2013). Big data: Issues, challenges, tools and good practices. Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Emerging Intelligent Data and Web Technologies (IIDWT), 404-409.
• Keen, P. G. (1991). Shaping the Digital Economy: Plan for Success. Harvard Business Review, 69(6), 89–105.
• Kodama, F., et al. (2020). The potential of 5G in supporting autonomous vehicles. IEEE Communications Standards Magazine, 4(4), 54–61.
• Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2020). Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (16th ed.). Pearson.
• Mayer-Schönberger, V., & Cukier, K. (2013). Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think. Eamon Dolan/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
• McAfee, A., & Brynjolfsson, E. (2017). Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Porter, M. E., & Heppelmann, J. E. (2014). How Smart, Connected Products Are Transforming Competition. Harvard Business Review, 92(11), 64–88.
• Sharda, R., Dursun, D., & Sharma, J. (2018). Business Intelligence and Analytics: Systems for Decision Support (10th ed.). Pearson.
• Shi, W., Cao, J., Zhang, Q., Li, Y., & Xu, L. (2016). Edge computing: Vision and challenges. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 3(5), 637–646.
• Wang, Y., et al. (2018). Big Data Analytics in Healthcare. IEEE Access, 6, 50910–50925.