CASE STUDY #1

1. To be a successful Chief Information Technology Officer (CIO), one must possess intrinsic
characteristics and qualities. Effy Oz said that the traits of a successful CIO include being a leader,
technologist, entrepreneur, and business executive. Write a 1-page in-depth explanation why CIO must
possess the four attributes in order to be an effective CIO. (20 points)

2. Technology now underpins all aspects of business. Nicholas G. Carr in his article IT Doesnt Matter
published in Harvard Business Review argued that IT has developed into an infrastructural technology or
commodity, similar to technologies such as railways or electricity supply. As such, no competitive
advantage, or at least only a short-term advantage, can be gained explicitly by using IT, but businesses
would not be able to operate without it. Because of this, Carr argued that IT can no longer been seen as a
matter for business strategy, just like a company does not consider electricity supply as a matter of
strategy. However, a number of leading technologists disagree with Carrs view, such as Intels CEO Craig
Barrett. Write a 1-page in-depth discussion whether you SUPPORT or OPPOSE Carrs proposal. (20
points)

3. CASE STUDY. Western Chemical uses the Internet and an electronic commerce website to connect to
its customers and suppliers, and to capture data and share information about sales order and purchases.
Sales and order data are processed immediately, and inventory and other databases are updated.
Videoconferencing and electronic mail services are also provided. Data generated by a chemical refinery
process are captured by sensors and processed by a computer that also suggests answers to a complex
refinery problem posed by an engineer. Managers and business professionals access reports on a periodic,
exception, and demand basis, and use computers to interactively assess the possible results of alternative
decisions. Finally, top management can assess text summaries and graphic displays that identify key
elements of organizational performance and compare them to industry and competitor performance.

Western Chemical Corporation has started forming business alliances and using intranets, extranets, and
Internet to build a global electronic commerce website to offer their customers worldwide products and
services. Western Chemical is in the midst of making fundamental changes to its computer-based systems
to increase the efficiency of its e-business operations and their managers ability to react quickly to
changing business conditions. Based on the Case Study, answer the following questions:

How do information systems support (1) business operations, (2) business decision making, (3) strategic
advantage, (4) an E-business enterprise, and (5) electronic commerce at Western Chemical. (20 points)

There are many different types of information systems at Western Chemical. Identify as many as you can
and explain the reasons for your choices. (20 points)

Requirements:
1. Answer the following in a Long Bond Paper
2. Deadline of submission Oct 14.