L2

Question 1

What must align for IS to work (core logic)?

Answer 1

Technology + organisation + management must align; if one is mismatched, the system underperforms.

Question 2

Mnemonic for alignment

Answer 2

TOM: Technology, Organisation, Management.

Question 3

Technology (in IS logic)

Answer 3

Tools/infrastructure: hardware, software, data, networks.

Question 4

Organisation (in IS logic)

Answer 4

Structure + processes + culture + business rules (how work really gets done).

Question 5

Management (in IS logic)

Answer 5

Strategy + decisions + leadership + resource allocation.

Question 6

Why IS are not “magic tools”

Answer 6

Tech alone doesn’t fix problems; you need clear goals, process change, and people adoption.

Question 7

Digitisation (concept)

Answer 7

Convert analog into digital (format change).

Question 8

Digitisation examples (quick)

Answer 8

Paper→PDF; VHS→MPEG; cassette→MP3.

Question 9

Digitalisation (concept)

Answer 9

Use digital tech to improve/change processes or business models.

Question 10

Key dependency: digitalisation needs digitisation because…

Answer 10

You can’t improve processes digitally if the data isn’t digital first.

Question 11

Digital transformation (concept)

Answer 11

Large-scale digital change that reshapes operations and value creation (reinvention, not just improvement).

Question 12

Transformation logic

Answer 12

Technology triggers change, but value comes only when culture, skills, and processes change too.

Question 13

Three-step ladder (memory)

Answer 13

Convert (digitise) → Improve (digitalise) → Reinvent (transform).

Question 14

Operational excellence (IS objective)

Answer 14

Run operations more efficiently: fewer errors, faster cycles, lower cost.

Question 15

New products/services/models (IS objective)

Answer 15

Create new ways to deliver value and earn revenue.

Question 16

Customer/supplier intimacy (IS objective)

Answer 16

Better relationships → loyalty, repeat purchases, lower coordination costs.

Question 17

Improved decision-making (IS objective)

Answer 17

Real-time, accurate information replaces guessing.

Question 18

Competitive advantage (IS objective)

Answer 18

Do things better/faster/cheaper or uniquely vs competitors.

Question 19

Sustainability & responsible AI (IS objective)

Answer 19

Optimise not only profit, but also environmental and stakeholder impact.

Question 20

Efficiency (concept)

Answer 20

Using minimum resources/time/effort to do tasks.

Question 21

Efficacy (concept)

Answer 21

Achieving the intended outcome.

Question 22

Efficiency vs efficacy (logic)

Answer 22

Efficiency = doing it with less; efficacy = actually hitting the goal.

Question 23

Productivity (concept)

Answer 23

Output ÷ input (results per unit of resource).

Question 24

Profitability (concept)

Answer 24

Revenue > costs.

Question 25

Business model (concept)

Answer 25

How a firm creates, delivers, and captures value (how it makes money).

Question 26

IT (concept)

Answer 26

Hardware + software tools.

Question 27

IS (concept)

Answer 27

IT + people + processes + organisational structure that manage information for action/decisions.

Question 28

Fast distinction: IT vs IS

Answer 28

IT is the toolset; IS is the toolset embedded in humans + workflows + structure.

Question 29

Data (concept)

Answer 29

Raw facts without context.

Question 30

Information (concept)

Answer 30

Processed/structured data with meaning for decisions.

Question 31

Formula to remember

Answer 31

Information = Data + Context.

Question 32

Structured data (concept)

Answer 32

Fixed fields (tables/databases) → easy search/analysis.

Question 33

Semi-structured data (concept)

Answer 33

Some structure/metadata but flexible format (e.g., JSON/CSV).

Question 34

Unstructured data (concept)

Answer 34

No predefined format (text blobs, images, video) → harder analysis.

Question 35

Internal data sources (concept)

Answer 35

Data generated inside the firm (HR records, inventory, finance).

Question 36

External data sources (concept)

Answer 36

Data from outside (market prices, surveys, social trends).

Question 37

IS core workflow (4 activities)

Answer 37

Input → Processing → Output → Feedback.

Question 38

Input (IS logic)

Answer 38

Capture raw data.

Question 39

Processing (IS logic)

Answer 39

Transform/analyse data into usable form.

Question 40

Output (IS logic)

Answer 40

Deliver information to users/systems.

Question 41

Feedback (IS logic)

Answer 41

Use results to refine the next inputs/processing.

Question 42

IS dimensions (3)

Answer 42

Organisational, managerial, technological.

Question 43

Organisational dimension (logic)

Answer 43

Culture/structure/processes determine how IS is used and resisted.

Question 44

Managerial dimension (logic)

Answer 44

Decisions/planning/control define what information matters.

Question 45

Technological dimension (logic)

Answer 45

Hardware/software/data/networks determine what is possible.

Question 46

Internet vs intranet vs extranet (logic)

Answer 46

Internet = public global network; intranet = internal private network; extranet = controlled access for partners.

Question 47

Why mobility matters (logic)

Answer 47

Shifts work to anytime/anywhere, increasing speed but raising security/coordination needs.

Question 48

Cloud challenge (logic)

Answer 48

Tradeoff: scalability/flexibility vs migration risk, cost control, and vendor dependence.

Question 49

Big data/IoT challenge (logic)

Answer 49

Value comes from analysis capability; data volume alone is useless.

Question 50

AI challenge (logic)

Answer 50

Hard parts: expertise, integration, and uncertain ROI—not just buying an AI tool.

Question 51

ROI of IT challenge (logic)

Answer 51

Benefits can be indirect (speed/quality/risk reduction), so measurement is tricky.

Question 52

Security & privacy challenge (logic)

Answer 52

More digital = more exposure; must protect data and comply with rules.

Question 53

Globalisation (logic)

Answer 53

Cross-border flows increase market reach and efficiency but intensify competition and outsourcing.

Question 54

Skill strategy under globalisation (logic)

Answer 54

Win by specialising in high-level skills that are hard to replicate or outsource.

Question 55

Technical approach to IS (logic)

Answer 55

Optimise formal models/technology performance (math/engineering lens).

Question 56

Behavioural approach to IS (logic)

Answer 56

Optimise human adoption, incentives, and organisational behaviour.

Question 57

Sociotechnical approach (most important logic)

Answer 57

Joint optimisation: fit tech to users AND adapt organisation/people to tech (training + change management).

Question 58

Four actors in sociotechnical view

Answer 58

Technologists; firm; managers/employees; environment (markets/regulations/culture).

Question 59

One-sentence memory story

Answer 59

If TOM aligns and you digitise→digitalise→transform while managing people/processes, IS turns data into information that drives better decisions and advantage.