In what respect does business strategy resemble military strategy?
Refer to Chapter 1’s discussion of different types of information systems. Which types of ISs can gain strategic advantage and which cannot? Why?
What should an information system achieve for an organization in order to be considered a strategic information system? How do strategic information systems compare with operational information systems?
What strategic goal can an IS attain that does not involve wresting market share from competitors? Provide some business examples.
What conditions must exist in an organization planning an SIS?
Sometimes it is difficult to convince top management to commit funds to develop and implement an SIS. Why?
An SIS often offers a corporation short-lived advantages. How so?
What is reengineering? Why is reengineering often mentioned along with IT?
Why have most reengineering projects failed? What has eventually affected reengineering in some companies?
Software developers have made great efforts to “create a standard.” What does creating a standard mean in the software industry, and why are companies doing it?
What should an organization do to sustain the strategic benefits of an IS?
Adobe encourages PC users to download its Acrobat Reader and Flash Player free of charge. How does this eventually help Adobe strategically? If they give the application away, how does their generosity help them make money?
Referring to the list of strategic moves (see Figure 2.2), classify the initiatives of JetBlue.
What were the reasons for the failure of the original purpose of FordDirect.com? Who eventually gained from the system and what were the gains?
The executives of well-established airlines are not less smart than those at JetBlue, and yet, their larger airlines have not done what JetBlue has done. Why?
What does the term “first mover” mean?
Can a late mover have any strategic advantage with IT? What is the risk that a late mover takes?
18. What does the term “bleeding edge” mean?