UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2018/2019
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
MISM5402 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
DATE: APRIL 2019 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION 1: 20 MARKS (COMPULSORY)
a) Discuss four characteristics that information should possess in order to aid management
in the performance of the key functions of planning, control and decision making.
4 Marks
b) The management of XYZ Company is in the process of developing a new financial and
accounting information system. Discuss four feasibility test that must be undertaken
before the development process gets underway. 4 Marks
c) An obsolete information system could be defined as one that has reached the end of the
economic useful life and is due for replacement by another information system. Discuss
four symptoms of a system which is approaching the end of its useful economic life.
4 Marks
d) Giving examples, discuss how we can break down an organizational system into
subsystems 4 Marks
e) You hear a member of the Board of your financial organization, while in discussion
with major customers, say that “Mobile computing renders all traditional IS/IT
obsolete”. Discuss and justify the extent to which you agree or disagree with the above
statement. 4 Marks
QUESTION 2: 15 MARKS
One of the responsibilities of Information Systems managers which is often neglected is to
make users perceive Information Technology and Information Systems as powerful and
valuable tools but not the panacea for all problems in an organization. When applied
thoughtfully, these tools can bring important benefits to individuals, organizations and
customers. When these tools are misapplied they can waste tremendous amount of time,
effort and money.
Required:
a) Using a well labeled diagram differentiate between Information Technology and
Information Systems. 5 Marks
b) Discuss five benefits of applying Information technology to both the organization as
well as to the individuals. 5 Marks
c) Discuss five obstacles which make it difficult to successfully apply Information
Technology and Information Systems in the real world of business indicating how to
overcome each one of them. 5 Marks
QUESTION 3: 15 MARKS
a) Every organization exists within an environment that is also known as the society.
Describe any four elements that make up the organizations environment showing how
each element influences the organization. 4 Marks
b) One approach to selection and acquisition of an Information System is by outsourcing
the operations from an external vendor. Required
i. State and explain four types of outsourcing. 2 Marks
ii. Describe three levels of service provision from an external vendor.
3 Marks
iii. Discuss any three elements of an outsourcing contract. 3 Marks
iv. Outline three advantages and three disadvantages of outsourcing.
3 Marks
QUESTION 4: 15 MARKS
a) Using a well labeled diagram illustrate the management hierarchy that exist in an
organization, the type of information systems applied at each level, the nature of
decisions made at each level as well as the information required to make those
decisions. 3Marks
a) Discuss six strategic positioning choices which the strategic managers can make in
order to maintain a competitive advantage in their organization. 3 Marks
c) Describe four strategic shifts that may result from the strategic positioning choices
2 Marks
d) One important activity of strategic managers is strategic planning. Describe four
characteristics of this activity. 2 Marks
e) Describe the decision making theory highlighting the value of Information
5 Marks
