You have been hired by a small new Web design firm to set up a network for its single office location. The network is primarily needed for exchanging files, accessing and managing beta Web sites on their Web server, and connecting to the Internet. The firm hires many freelancers who come into the office on an ad-hoc basis and it does not have a lot of money to spend on infrastructure. What type of network will you recommend?
Which of the four generic strategies to counteract competitive forces does Google seem to be focusing on in its implementation of information systems, and what tactics, products, or services is it employing to this end?
How are encryption, authentication, digital signatures, and digital certificates each used to ensure security?
Plant Away is an Oregon-based retailer and distributor of trees and shrubs. They have hundreds of smaller nurseries based around the country that grow the plant stock. The majority of their business is conducted online: Consumers purchase typically small quantities of products online and Plant Away coordinates the shipping from the most appropriate nursery. What unique problems might you anticipate they have in their supply chain? What might remedy these problems?
You have been hired as a marketing consultant by a law firm in Los Angeles that specializes in juvenile justice. What ways can you use the Internet as a marketing tool and to advertise the firm’s services?
Identify the three major types of knowledge management systems. Provide two examples of each.
What is the balanced scorecard model? Why is it particularly useful? Where does it get its information?
Name an industry that was created as a result of the Internet. What “traditional” industries could be threatened by this emerging industry? Why? Be specific
Give an example of an instance when offering customer value is a necessary bit insufficient condition for a firm’s profitability.
How might the Internet be different if it had been developed commercially instead of by the government?
In the face of the Internet, what type of firm would you rather manage: an incumbent or an attacker? Provide detailed evidence backing your choice.
Why do incumbents have such a difficult time adopting radical technological changes?
It has been said that with the Internet, geography no longer matters. Do you agree to not? Explain.
Apart from being sponsor and champion, what type of person do you believe the general manager of a firm should be? Does the type of industry in which the person manages make a difference?
In a firm’s Internet strategic management process which of the four major steps do you believe require the most attention from a general manager: Where is the firm now as far as the Internet is concerned? Where does the firm go next? How does it get there? How does it implement the decisions to get there? Explain.
It has been said that the best way to beat change is to change first. Does this statement apply in the face of the Internet? Any industries in particular?
What areas of government regulation do you think would have the most influence on the Internet: Taxation of e-commerce, intellectual property law, or privacy laws?