UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
PAPER NO EXAMINATION DATE
First Semester 2005/2006
MScPM/05F/2 MSc Project Management Saturday
Level 1 3 December 2005
MScQM/05F/3 MSc Quality Management
Level 1
SERIES PAPER TIME
Nov/Dec 2005 Management Information Systems 9.30 – 12.30 hrs
(CSE 6005)
This paper contains FOUR (4) Questions. Candidates are required to answer
Question 1 (COMPULSORY) and ANY OTHER TWO (2) Questions.
Case Study “E for Two” for Question 1 is attached.
Question 1 (COMPULSORY)
Read the case study “E for Two” (paper attached) and then answer the following
questions:
(a) From your reading of the case, what do you think are the factors that may help
you decide whether e-commerce makes sense for your company?
[10 marks]
(b) Discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of proprietary over single-
vendor platform strategies as highlighted in the case.
[10 marks]
(c) Describe how a company could leverage technology to satisfy its e-customers.
[8 marks]
(d) Explain the reasons behind HEO’s decision to buy into a single vendor.
Do you think the decision makes the most sense or was there a more viable
alternative?
[12 marks]
(e) What are the issues that need to be addressed by a company willing to
establish a global online presence?
[10 marks]
Page 1 of 4
Question 2
(a) A new financial services company has been formed through the merger of two
well-established companies. Each of the old companies had different
computer-based accounting packages. These are to be replaced by a single new
off-the-shelf accounting package that has already been purchased from a
well-known vendor. The accounting system will have at least 600 users of
various types distributed across five regions. The new package will be
supported by a group of eight technical staff who will provide telephone
support and will also carry out training both centrally and locally.
(i) Identify two major problems, apart from that of team-building, which
will need to be addressed with regard to the activities needed to change
over to the new accounting system. [4 marks]
(ii) Describe the main methods of ‘going live’ with a new computer
application and explain which approach should be adopted in the
scenario above. [6 marks]
(iii) Documentation needs to be kept up-to-date during the development and
maintenance of an information system. Give four reasons explaining
why this is important. [4 marks]
(iv) Explain the meaning of post implementation review of an information
system. What aspects does such an exercise aim at assessing? [5 marks]
(b) Describe the information system you would recommend to support each of the
following business situations:
(i) Where two groups of managers, each group being in a different
geographic location, wish to make a joint decision regarding a particular
aspect of company operations without having to travel. [2 marks]
(ii) Where non-IT staff wish to have flexible and easy access to data from
several aspects of company operations. [2 marks]
(iii) Where specialist staff, on behalf of a manager, want to run a simulation
model on a regular basis, with the opportunity to perform "what-if"
analysis. [2 marks]
Page 2 of 4
Question 3
(a) Information Economics is an investment appraisal technique which extends
traditional cost benefit appraisal methods to include assessment of intangible
benefits.
(i) Explain the application of this technique. [6 marks]
(ii) What are the strengths and weaknesses of this technique? [6 marks]
(b) Implementation of information systems brings a range of associated changes.
(i) Explain why people tend to resist change. [4 marks]
(ii) As a project manager, what approach would you adopt to minimize
such resistance in the deployment of an information system? [4 marks]
(c) Producing software of high quality is critical to most organisations because of
software central function in businesses. Poor software quality is said to have a
cost. Explain with examples how far you agree with this statement.
[5 marks]
Page 3 of 4
Question 4
(a) Looking across is one of the strategic roles of information technology.
Inter-organisational system (IOS) is an example. IOS are information systems
that automate the flow of information across boundaries and link a company to
its customers, distributors or suppliers.
(i) Explain the benefits of IOS. [3 marks]
(ii) What factors need to be given consideration when implementing IOS
globally? [3 marks]
(iii) Competitive advantage is achieved through the application of the
corporate strategy. There are essentially three forms of generic
strategies namely cost leadership, differentiation and focus. Describe
these generic strategies. Explain how IOS can assist in the
implementation of these strategies. [8 marks]
(b) All projects involve some sort of risks.
(i) Give examples of risks that can be faced during the implementation of
information systems. [3 marks]
(ii) Risks of failure or misuse of information systems may be reduced by
introducing different types of control. Give examples of such controls.
[6 marks]
(iii) What is a contingency plan? [2 marks]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
/nr
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