Information Sysytems Discussion Question - Essay Example

Questions Q Information systems are too important… I do not agree that information systems should be left to computer specialists. Obviously, computer specialists are required to create the information system, implement it, test run it, check any errors in the hardware and softwares involved, and remove those errors; however, they are not required to actually run and maintain the information system. This responsibility goes to the company’s staff or managers who are trustworthy employees, authenticated to use the information system.

Computer specialists can be called any time if a bug is identified, or when the server goes down, or when a query hangs the system, but there is no need to permanently leave the system in their hands. Also, information systems contain crucial data related to the organization, its employees and the consumers, which cannot be given into the hands of everybody. Only the authorized person should be allowed to manage the information system so that illegal access is controlled (Godara, 2009). 2. If you were setting up websites… Management problems would include poor quality of content provided by the customer; trouble in getting logo and graphics from the client; dealing with a hard client who is never satisfied; payment problems; deadline issues; dealing with host companies; and, error reports from the customer.

Dealing with the customer’s ever-changing requirements and developing a good communication platform are also big issues. Organization issues include creating and maintaining the right kind of organizational culture and attitudes; dealing with employee dissatisfaction and politics; coping with insufficient supply of resources; and, organizing project modules. Technology issues would include troublesome hardware; old versions of software; and, hardware and software incompatibility. 3. It has been said that there is no such thing as a sustainable… A sustainable strategic advantage is one which is not duplicable or outshined by the competitors of the company (Henry, 2008, p.138). I agree that there is no such thing as sustainable strategic advantage since we see that competitors are continuously copying each other so that they are able to surpass each other.

However, to some extent, it is possible that a company gains a competitive advantage over its competitors if it chooses a perfect competitive strategy and implements it correctly. But, mainly, if a company gains a sustainable strategic advantage and stops there, then it loses. For example, Apple gained a sustainable strategic advantage because it was the first mover in the field of computers but if it had stopped at that point and had not moved further, then its competitors would have surpassed it and then that advantage would not have been sustainable any more. 4. It has been said that the advantage that leading-edge retailers… I agree that the advantage the leading-edge retailers have over their competitors is not technology but management because technology is something which every competitor is copying, innovating, developing, and presenting, almost the same thing with some innovations.

This advantage is not sustainable any more. The real advantage is that of management. How a company manages its staff, consumers, projects, and the environment, is what makes it different from its competitors. Two competitors might be working at the same technology but the management style and operations are always going to be different. It is the success of management that brings real success to the company giving it an actual sustainable competitive advantage. References Godara, V. (2009). Risk Assessment and Management in Pervasive Computing: Operational, Legal, Ethical, and Financial Perspectives.

USA: IGI Global snippet. Henry, A. (2008). Understanding sustainable competitive advantage. Understanding Strategic Management. USA: Oxford University Press.