Management Information Systems MCQ Flashcards

Which concept describes the idea that an organization's competitive advantage from an IT system erodes as competitors adopt the same technology?

Answer: IT commoditization

IT commoditization occurs when once-differentiating technology becomes widely available, turning it into a standard cost of doing business rather than a competitive edge.

A hospital uses a system that captures patient symptoms and suggests possible diagnoses based on medical knowledge rules. This is an example of:

Answer: Expert System (ES)

Expert Systems encode domain-specific knowledge as rules to mimic the reasoning of a human expert in a specialized field.

In change management for IT projects, resistance from employees is most effectively reduced through which approach?

Answer: Providing training and involving users early in the design process

User training and early involvement in system design builds ownership and understanding, which significantly reduces resistance to change.

Which strategy involves a company controlling multiple stages of its supply chain through information systems, for example owning both manufacturing and retail operations?

Answer: Vertical integration

Vertical integration occurs when a company controls multiple levels of its supply chain, enabled by integrated information systems that link each stage.

Which type of software license allows users to view, modify, and distribute the source code freely?

Answer: Open-source license

Open-source licenses grant users the rights to inspect, modify, and redistribute the source code, often with specific attribution requirements.

A company's IT disaster recovery plan specifies that systems must be restored within 4 hours of a failure. This 4-hour target is the:

Answer: Recovery Time Objective (RTO)

The Recovery Time Objective (RTO) defines the maximum acceptable duration for restoring a system after a disruption.

Which ethical framework in IT focuses on the outcomes of decisions — choosing the action that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people?

Answer: Utilitarian ethics

Utilitarian ethics evaluates actions by their consequences, favoring decisions that maximize overall benefit and minimize harm across all stakeholders.