UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2012/2013
EXAMINATION FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 2203 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
DATE: AUGUST, 2013 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE and any other TWO Questions
QUESTION ONE
a) With the help of relevant diagrams, distinguish a general system from an information
system. [4 marks]
b) Why are information systems viewed as business solutions to challenges facing
organizations? [8 marks]
c) Briefly outline FIVE ways in which strategic information systems enable business
enterprises to compete effectively in contemporary business environment. [5 marks]
d) Discuss the contribution by Porter and Millar’s Value Chain Model in understanding
and dealing with organizational competition at the business level. [8 marks]
e) Outline the role of strategic level managers in matching organizational capacity to
global business demands. [5 marks]
QUESTION TWO
(a) State the three levels of strategic planning in an organization. What characterizes
information systems at each of these levels? [6 marks]
b) Discuss ANY three generic strategies that can be employed to ‘fight off’ competitive
forces at the industry level. [9 marks]
(b) State any TWO functions of management. Clearly show how information systems can
support the execution of the stated functions [5 marks]
QUESTION THREE
(a) Systems analysis involves a feasibility study to determine whether that solution is
feasible or achievable. Outline three major areas of feasibility that must be addressed.
[6 marks]
b) Discuss any THREE system changeover approaches, clearly showing their
appropriateness during the conversion from an old to a new system. [9marks]
(b) Highlight five indicators of successful information system implementation. [5 marks]
QUESTION FOUR
(a) Explain FOUR kinds of structural organizational change enabled by information
technology, clearly showing the risks and rewards associated with each change.
[8 marks]
(b) One of the major tasks of managers during the implementation of an information
system is the justification of the investment. Highlight the features of the following
two financial models used in evaluating information systems projects
i) Pay back method
ii) Cost-benefit ratio [6marks]
(c) Explain the nature of the following competitive strategies, giving examples where
they have been used to help firms bypass the slower and more costly process of
building one’s own capabilities to access new opportunities.
i) Partnerships
ii) Mergers [6 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) Describe the role of controls in safeguarding information systems. [4 marks]
b) Identify four threats to computerized information systems. [2 marks]
c) Discuss outsourcing as an approach to information system acquisition. [9 marks]
d) Explain how globalization is fueling demand for information systems by business
enterprises. [5 marks]
