Solution Manual For
Introduction to Information Systems, 6th Canadian Edition R. Kelly Rainer, Brad Prince, Cristobal
Sanchez-Rodriguez, Sepideh Ebrahimi, Ingrid Splettstoesser
Chapter 1-14
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Information Systems
Chapter Outline
1.1 Why Should I Study Information Systems?
1.2 Overview of Computer-Based Information Systems
1.3 How Does IT Impact Organizations?
1.4 Importance of Information Systems to Society
Learning Objectives
1. Identify the reasons why being an informed user of information systems is important in today‘s world.
2. Describe the various types of computer-based information systems in an organization.
3. Discuss ways in which information technology can affect managers and nonmanagerial workers.
4. Identify positive and negative societal effects of the increased use of information technology.
Teaching Tips and Strategies
Today‘s students use technology in ways that were not even dreamed of just a decade ago. Because these
students have grown up surrounded by and using technology, information technology is an integral part of
their lives. Unfortunately, many students seldom think about the whys and wherefores behind the
technology they use every day.
I have found they often fail to recognize, understand, or even see how information technology impacts
them, their lives, and their careers. So it is important to let them know what is in it for them, even if they
are not majoring in information systems. The textbook authors do a good job of this by including a
―What‘s In IT for Me?‖ section at the start of each chapter.
Throughout this course, it is important for us to encourage our students to step back and observe the
bigger picture of what comprises the fundamentals of management information systems. Unfortunately,
you will find some students who will think this class is boring or even complain they already ―know it
all.‖
Point out that they should look at the ―What‘s In IT for Me?‖ section of the chapters. This should be done
early in the course. As part of your introductions on the first day of class, you might consider asking
students what their major is. Knowing each student‘s major and possible career goals will help you tailor
examples, classroom assignments and discussion to the interests of the students.
Explaining how MIS has affected businesses as well as workers helps to get students interested in this
class. It also helps when they are told stories of how computers have evolved and how MIS and decision
support systems (discussed in a late chapter) have made management decision-making easier and more
reliable.
,To support your class discussions and examples through the course, I try to bring in examples from the
local area. Most communities around college and university campuses have businesses or government
agencies that operate data centers. Many times, students are unaware that they are there. In most cases,
the local Chamber of Commerce or, if your school has one, a group of local business leaders who
periodically meet with your dean might help you find these sites.
You might also consider supporting your class discussions on the importance of computer technology
with examples of how companies have moved to e-mail to save money over using snail mail (postal
service). Students can be introduced to the concept that IT must be paired with business processes to
harness IT‘s potential.
IT is important to business leaders all over the world. There are salary statistics for all majors. You can
get this information from Randstad Canada‘s website at www.randstad.ca, Payscale.com
(www.payscale.com), or Salary.com (www.salary.com). Historically, there are usually a few IT-related
jobs in the top 10 highest-paying jobs for college grades. This usually gets some students‘ attention,
especially if they realize that if they are more technologically savvy they will tend to make more money.
Finally, have your students look at local help-wanted ads to see how many job postings for what might be
considered non-technical jobs require some IT knowledge.
Blackboard/CMS Suggestions
Most colleges and universities have design requirements on the structure of online courses and what
should be included in the campus‘s course management system, whether the class is online or as a
supplement to an in-person lecture-based class. So what I am including in this section for this and the rest
of the chapter Instructor Manuals is based on what I have learned from nearly fifteen years teaching this
class, and almost ten years teaching it online.
I usually start the term with an online discussion question asking the students about their majors, what
they think their technical knowledge is (this can sometimes be surprising because they usually
overestimate what they really know), and if they have any fears about technology. For this exercise, I
usually do not permit others in the class to comment on another student‘s response. I use this mainly to
gauge the knowledge and background of the class.
I always record a short video for each chapter for my online classes. I have found that if I record a
complete lecture, most students do not watch it. So I do a ten- to fifteen-minute chapter overview video.
If you are teaching an online class or are looking for a short video for a lecture class, I can usually find
topic-relevant videos on YouTube. Sometimes they are product demos or sales videos, but they still
usually present relevant information or concepts.
Opening Case: MKT Plus-Size Clothing Ads on Social Media
1. Identify and discuss three ways in which social media can help plus-sized clothing brands achieve
success.
ANSWER:
Social media helps brands achieve success by:
- Bringing awareness to the brand
- Increasing positive perception of the brand
- Increasing engagement with the brand, especially with the use of influencers
,Level: Easy
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom‘s Category: Comprehension
AACSB Category: Technology
2. Identify and discuss three ways in which social media can create challenges for plus-sized
clothing brands.
ANSWER:
- Social media challenges include:Censorship of content by the media‘s ―community standards‖
- Stigma and discrimination
- Cyberbullying
Level: Easy
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom‘s Category: Comprehension
AACSB Category: Technology
3. Identify and discuss ways in which social media can impact body size inclusivity positively or
negatively.
ANSWER:
Social media can showcase all people, regardless of their differences, that are a part of society. It can
also encourage acceptance and support of everyone. This is positive inclusivity since we appreciate
everyone. However, parts of society are not as accepting and may react negatively to including people
of all sizes and shapes, which is negative inclusivity. The negative response can include increasing
stigma, discrimination, and cyberbullying.
Level: Medium
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom‘s Category: Analysis
AACSB Category: Technology
IT‘s About Business 1.1 MIS – Informed Users Are an Important Part of Security
1. How did a hacker gain access to Uber‘s systems?
ANSWER:
A hacker socially engineered an Uber employee after discovering the employee's WhatsApp number. The
intruder tricked the employee into logging in to a fake Uber site that captured the driver‘s username and
password, thus giving the hacker access to the genuine Uber site. The employee was prompted to push a
button on their smartphone to verify that the login was legitimate.
Level: Easy
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom‘s Category: Comprehension
AACSB Category: Technology
, 2. Define and discuss social engineering.
ANSWER:
Social engineering is an attempt to gain access that has not been granted to you, and it‘s an easier way to
hack an organization. Social engineering techniques are intended to manipulate authorized employees
into providing unauthorized parties with access to private information, which gives them access to the
company system. Social engineering is illegal.
Level: Easy
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom‘s Category: Comprehension
AACSB Category: Technology
3. What steps should organizations take to better secure their systems against social engineering
attacks?
ANSWER:
The first and most important strategy is to train your employees to become informed users of information
technologies. One widely accepted best practice is to limit access privileges to those that employees
actually need to fulfill their job duties. Outside contractors and consultants who do not work for an
organization often have access to its data. These permissions should be strictly limited to data these
parties need to perform their responsibilities. Further, they should be removed as soon as access is no
longer needed.
Level: Easy
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.1/Learning Objective 1
Bloom‘s Category: Comprehension
AACSB Category: Technology
IT‘s About Business 1.2 Lululemon‘s Success During and Despite Pandemic COVID-19 Pandemic
1. What other digital initiatives Lululemon could employ on its website to enhance its revenue from
online sales?
ANSWER:
Student answers will vary. Students could suggest AI technology to virtually try on clothes.
Level: Medium
Section/Learning Objective: Section 1.2/Learning Objective 2
Bloom‘s Category: Application
AACSB Category: Technology
2. How can Lululemon better employ social media platforms to increase brand awareness and/or
customer satisfaction?
ANSWER:
Students may have a variety of ideas. Lululemon needs to ensure it shares information that is relevant and
engaging. They could have celebrities take over a social media account for the day. They need to
respond to customers‘ questions and complaints quickly. They could also generate excitement by
creating a viral social media campaign.
