Deck 12: Management Support Systems

Question 1

Information technologies are a major support tool for making unstructured decisions.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

_____ are vaguely defined by standard operating procedures but include a structured aspect that benefits from information retrieval, analytical models, and information systems technology.

A) Structured decisions
B) Semistructured decisions
C) Unstructured decisions
D) Pseudostructured decisions

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Decision support systems (DSS) are focused on efficiency rather than effectiveness.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

_____ can be automated because a well-defined standard operating procedure exists for these types of decisions.

A) Structured decisions
B) Semistructured decisions
C) Unstructured decisions
D) Pseudostructured decisions

Question 5

Semistructured decisions are often used in _____.

A) payroll development
B) record keeping
C) sales forecasting
D) hiring and firing

Question 6

In the intelligence phase of the decision-making process, a decision maker defines criteria and generates alternatives to meet the criteria.

Question 7

Criteria are goals and objectives that decision makers establish to achieve certain performance levels.

Question 8

The technical designer focuses on how data should be stored in a decision support system (DSS).

Question 9

Real-time computer conferencing used in electronic meeting systems includes video capability.

Question 10

Effective design and implementation of an executive information system (EIS) requires top management support and user involvement.

Question 11

A geographic information system (GIS) can integrate maps and database data with queries.

Question 12

Groupware is software that helps a group of decision makers work with the same application, provided they work in the same location.

Question 13

Unstructured decisions are often used in computer configuration.

Question 14

Executive information systems (EISs) are used for reporting exceptions.

Question 15

Related technologies for group support, such as electronic meeting systems (EMSs) and computer-mediated communication (CMC), are considered full-function GSSs because they contain decision-making tools.

Question 16

According to the guidelines for designing a management support system, when benefits are intangible, the design team should associate the benefits with a measurable factor, such as increased sales.

Question 17

_____ involves semistructured decisions.

A) Record keeping
B) Budget preparation
C) Hiring and firing
D) Research and development

Question 18

In a decision support system (DSS), the user interface manages and coordinates the database and model base.

Question 19

A user interface enables a decision support system (DSS) to analyze information.

Question 20

Record keeping, payroll, and simple inventory problems are examples of _____ tasks.

A) structured
B) semistructured
C) unstructured
D) pseudostructured

Question 21

The component of a decision support system (DSS) that manages and coordinates the other major components is the _____.

A) DSS database
B) DSS engine
C) DSS model base
D) DSS user interface

Question 22

In the context of the features of a decision support system (DSS), _____ enables you to apply different variables in decision making.

A) what-if analysis
B) data analysis
C) sensitivity analysis
D) exception reporting analysis

Question 23

Identify a true statement about decision support systems (DSSs).

A) DSSs facilitate improvements but do not necessarily cause them.
B) DSSs focus on efficiency rather than effectiveness.
C) DSSs take more time than conventional decision-making processes.
D) DSSs generate generic solutions and do not provide one-of-a-kind solutions.

Question 24

In a decision support system (DSS) environment, a _____ is the liaison between users and designers.

A) system architect
B) managerial designer
C) model builder
D) database builder

Question 25

Decisions related to _____ are considered structured decisions at the operational management level of an organization.

A) payroll
B) accounts receivable
C) setting queue priorities
D) sales forecast

Question 26

Identify a true statement about unstructured decisions.

A) They are heavily influenced by the decision maker's intuitions.
B) They involve programmable tasks.
C) They have a standard operating procedure.
D) They are well supported by information technology.

Question 27

A(n) _____, used in the choice phase, helps sort through possible solutions to choose the best one for an organization.

A) decision support system
B) supply chain management system
C) electronic meeting system
D) geographic information system

Question 28

In a decision support system (DSS), decisions about the type of file structure to be used are taken by the _____.

A) technical designer
B) managerial designer
C) model designer
D) database designer

Question 29

In the context of organizational decisions at the strategic management level, a merger involves _____.

A) pseudostructured decisions
B) semistructured decisions
C) unstructured decisions
D) structured decisions

Question 30

In the context of organizational decisions at the tactical management level, _____ are often used in resolving conflicts between two divisions.

A) pseudostructured decisions
B) semistructured decisions
C) unstructured decisions
D) structured decisions

Question 31

In the context of the roles in the decision support system (DSS) environment, which of the following questions does a managerial designer address?

A) What should the balance between aggregated and disaggregated data be?
B) What are the operations of the model?
C) What type of file structure should be used?
D) What are the assumptions required to create and use a model?

Question 32

Decisions related to _____ are considered semistructured decisions at the operational management level of an organization.

A) setting queue priorities
B) accounts receivable
C) record keeping
D) payroll

Question 33

In the _____ of the decision-making process, data is collected from internal and external sources and processed.

A) choice phase
B) intelligence phase
C) implementation phase
D) design phase

Question 34

_____ is an area that involves unstructured decisions.

A) Record keeping
B) Sales forecasting
C) Research and development
D) Capital acquisition analysis

Question 35

Which of the following is true of semistructured decisions?

A) They involve multiple criteria.
B) They rely excessively on information technologies.
C) They require automation.
D) They involve programmable tasks.

Question 36

The _____ component of a decision support system (DSS) includes mathematical and statistical models that, along with the database, enable a DSS to analyze information.

A) user interface
B) DSS engine
C) model base
D) database model

Question 37

Unstructured decisions are often used in _____.

A) introducing a new product
B) capital acquisition analysis
C) record keeping
D) simple inventory problems

Question 38

In the decision support system (DSS) environment, the _____ focuses on how a DSS is implemented and usually addresses questions about data storage, user access, response time, and security measures.

A) managerial designer
B) technical designer
C) model builder
D) user

Question 39

In the context of organizational decisions at the strategic management level, _____ are often used in deciding the plant location of an organization.

A) pseudostructured decisions
B) semistructured decisions
C) unstructured decisions
D) structured decisions

Question 40

In the context of organizational decisions at the tactical management level, _____ are often used in setting queue priorities.

A) structured decisions
B) semistructured decisions
C) unstructured decisions
D) pseudostructured decisions

Question 41

Group support systems (GSSs) are advantageous because:

A) they give decision makers more time to talk with one another and solve problems.
B) they solve security problems faced by other communication systems.
C) they reduce the possibility of scheduling more meetings than necessary.
D) they aid nonverbal communication.

Question 42

Which of the following geographic objects of a geographic information system (GIS) is most likely used to show the location of an airport?

A) Points
B) Areas
C) Lines
D) Regions

Question 43

The _____ aspect of a group support system (GSS) reduces communication barriers and introduces order and efficiency into situations that are inherently unsystematic and inefficient.

A) decentralization
B) evaluation
C) intervention
D) extension

Question 44

Identify a true statement about group support systems (GSSs).

A) Increasing collaboration improves the effectiveness of decision makers.
B) Textual data is transmitted faster than verbal data.
C) Arranging many GSS sessions is difficult because of low cost efficiency.
D) GSS sessions transmit data within a secure network.

Question 45

The _____ of an executive information system (EIS) is responsible for managing data access.

A) administrative module
B) builder module
C) tracking module
D) runtime module

Question 46

For a(n) _____ to be useful, it should collect data related to an organization's critical success factors-issues that make or break a business.

A) executive information system
B) decision support system
C) group support system
D) geographic information system

Question 47

According to Peter G. Keen, a former MIT professor, which of the following is a benefit of a decision support system (DSS)?

A) Easy assessment of costs and benefits
B) Ability to cause improvements
C) Focus on efficiency rather than effectiveness
D) Fast response to unexpected situations

Question 48

The _____ module of an executive information system (EIS) is responsible for using the system.

A) administrative
B) builder
C) tracking
D) runtime

Question 49

Identify a characteristic of electronic meeting systems.

A) Real-time computer conferencing has advanced video capability.
B) Video teleconferencing does not require skilled labor as the equipment involved is easy to use.
C) Video teleconferencing enables participants to share text and graphics.
D) Desktop conferencing enables participants to have multiple video windows open at one time.

Question 50

A(n) _____ uses spatial and nonspatial data and specialized techniques for storing coordinates of networks of lines (roads, rivers, streets) and reporting zones (zip codes, cities, counties, states).

A) group support system
B) geographic information system
C) executive information system
D) electronic meeting system

Question 51

In the context of executive information systems (EISs), _____ allows managers to flag data that is unusual or out of normal boundaries.

A) forecasting
B) text mining
C) variance reporting
D) data reporting

Question 52

_____ are programs that carry out repetitive tasks and can be programmed to make decisions based on specified conditions.

A) Intelligent agents
B) Cyclic trackers
C) Data stabilizers
D) Sequential recorders

Question 53

Managers use executive information systems (EISs) to:

A) communicate via videoconferences.
B) work in groups.
C) track inventories.
D) spot trends.

Question 54

Which of the following is true of a group support system (GSS)?

A) It requires the presence of the human touch.
B) It makes people schedule more meetings than required.
C) It reduces stress levels of decision makers.
D) It provides high security for the data being exchanged.

Question 55

Groupware is intended mainly for _____.

A) promotion
B) decision support
C) teamwork
D) committee session

Question 56

Identify a true statement about a Web-based group support system (GSS).

A) It can transfer data without any speed limitation.
B) It transmits data with high network security.
C) It retains the quality of media across the network.
D) It can be used on any operating system.

Question 57

Identify a disadvantage of group support systems (GSSs).

A) Unnecessary meetings
B) Decreased on-site interaction
C) Increased stress levels
D) Lack of cooperation

Question 58

_____ enable decision makers in different locations to participate in a group decision-making process.

A) Enterprise management systems
B) Database management systems
C) Electronic meeting systems
D) Geographic information systems

Question 59

The _____ of an executive information system (EIS) is used by developers to configure data mapping and screen sequencing.

A) administrative module
B) builder module
C) tracking module
D) runtime module

Question 60

A group support system (GSS), with the help of a(n) _____, enhances decision making by providing a clear focus for group discussion and focusing attention on critical issues.

A) automated collaborator
B) computerized examiner
C) concealed streamer
D) human facilitator

Question 61

Which of the following is a task performed by a geographic information system (GIS)?

A) Finding zip codes of areas with high population
B) Recognizing the location where an accident has occurred
C) Identifying areas with less oxygen
D) Showing the number of people walking across a bridge

Question 62

In the decision support system (DSS) environment, a_____ is responsible for supplying information on what a model does, what data inputs it accepts, how the model's output should be interpreted, and what assumptions go into creating and using the model. ​

A) model designer
B) managerial designer
C) model builder
D) database builder

Question 63

The _____ component of a decision support system (DSS) enables the DSS to perform analysis operations on the information stored in the system. ​

A) model base
B) user interface
C) database
D) DSS engine

Question 64

The different types of information systems that have been developed to support certain aspects and types of decisions are collectively called_____. ​

A) management support systems
B) supply chain management systems
C) electronic meeting systems
D) geographic information systems

Question 65

In _____, a geographic information system (GIS) is used to make the best use of personnel and equipment while dealing with a tight budget and maintaining crime statistics.

A) government
B) logistics
C) marketing operations
D) real estate businesses

Question 66

_____ ensures that key decision makers are involved in designing a management support system (MSS).

A) Clearly defining objectives and benefits
B) Keeping lines of communication open
C) Identifying executives' information needs
D) Designing a flexible system

Question 67

During the _____ of the decision-making process, ideas are converted into actions. ​

A) intelligence phase
B) design phase
C) choice phase
D) implementation phase

Question 68

_____ uses the geographic information system (GIS) application to dispatch personnel and equipment to crime and fire locations.

A) Transportation and logistics
B) Urban planning
C) Government
D) Insurance

Question 69

In the context of defining the objectives and benefits of a management support system (MSS), which of the following is an intangible benefit?

A) Increasing profits
B) Increasing demand
C) Improving customer service
D) Improving the organization's revenue

Question 70

A(n)_____ is a system that performs tasks similar to a database management system (DBMS). ​

A) decision support system
B) model base management system
C) electronic meeting system
D) geographic information system

Question 71

A(n) _____ is a branch of decision support systems (DSSs) that gives managers easy access to internal and external data and typically includes drill-down features and a digital dashboard for examining and analyzing information. ​

A) group support system
B) executive information system
C) electronic meeting system
D) geographic information system

Question 72

Which of the following geographic objects of a geographic information system (GIS) is most likely used to show a street or a river?

A) Points
B) Lines
C) Areas
D) Regions

Question 73

In _____, a geographic information system (GIS) is used to track changes in ridership on mass-transit systems.

A) marketing operations
B) education planning
C) real estate businesses
D) urban planning

Question 74

A(n) _____ is an interactive information system consisting of hardware, software, data, and models (mathematical and statistical) designed to assist strategy makers in an organization. ​

A) decision support system
B) supply chain management system
C) employee monitoring system
D) logistics management system

Question 75

A geographic information system (GIS) with analytical capabilities evaluates the impact of decisions by interpreting _____.

A) spatial data
B) nonspatial data
C) preexisting data
D) assumed data

Question 76

During the _____ of the decision-making process, the best and most effective course of action is selected. ​

A) intelligence phase
B) design phase
C) choice phase
D) implementation phase

Question 77

Which of the following geographic objects of a geographic information system (GIS) is most likely used to show a particular zip code or a large tourist attraction?

A) Points
B) Lines
C) Areas
D) Intersections

Question 78

The_____ feature of a decision support system (DSS) pinpoints the region that generated the highest total sales. ​

A) goal seeking analysis
B) sensitivity analysis
C) what-if analysis
D) exception reporting analysis

Question 79

In a typical organization, _____ are often used in capital acquisition analysis. ​

A) structured decisions
B) semistructured decisions
C) unstructured decisions
D) pseudostructured decisions

Question 80

Which of the following is an important factor in designing a management support system (MSS)?

A) Making the system's complexity visible
B) Keeping the interface simple
C) Ensuring closed lines of communication
D) Varying the look and feel