Walmart, Information System
BMAN 21061 Introduction To Management Information System Non-assessed Essay
Q：Large numbers of companies are using their information systems as a strategic tool to improve their competitive advantage. Choose one of these companies (Toyota or Wal-Mart) and prepare an essay of 1500 words on: a) how information systems are used strategically by the company to gain a competitive advantage b) discuss if it is possible for the company to maintain this advantage in the future.
You are expected to use the competitive forces and/or value chain model in your analysis.
In this essay, Wal-Mart was chosen to be the case to analysis. Firstly, some basic concepts will be mentioned, including business strategy, IS strategy and IT strategy, and Wal-Mart will be introduced briefly. And then this essay aims to discuss how information system are used strategically by company to gain competitive advantage, and if it is possible for company to maintain this advantage in the future. Business Strategy sets the overall direction for the business. Information System Strategy is the plan an organization uses in providing information services. It defines what information, information systems and IT architecture are required to support the business. Based on a prioritization of needs. Information Technology Strategy: includes how the infrasture and services are to be delivered. (Turban) “Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (branded as Wal-Mart) is an American public corporation that runs a chain of large, discount department stores. It is the world's largest public corporation by revenue, according to the 2008 Fortune Global 500.” “Wal-Mart is the largest private employer and the largest grocery retailer in the United States.” (Wikipedia). To be the industry leader, Wal-Mart must have its own competitive business strategies, the first one I want mention is growth strategies, significantly expanding its capacity, expanding into
Q：Large numbers of companies are using their information systems as a strategic tool to improve their competitive advantage. Choose one of these companies (Toyota or Wal-Mart) and prepare an essay of 1500 words on: a) how information systems are used strategically by the company to gain a competitive advantage b) discuss if it is possible for the company to maintain this advantage in the future.
You are expected to use the competitive forces and/or value chain model in your analysis.
In this essay, Wal-Mart was chosen to be the case to analysis. Firstly, some basic concepts will be mentioned, including business strategy, IS strategy and IT strategy, and Wal-Mart will be introduced briefly. And then this essay aims to discuss how information system are used strategically by company to gain competitive advantage, and if it is possible for company to maintain this advantage in the future. Business Strategy sets the overall direction for the business. Information System Strategy is the plan an organization uses in providing information services. It defines what information, information systems and IT architecture are required to support the business. Based on a prioritization of needs. Information Technology Strategy: includes how the infrasture and services are to be delivered. (Turban) “Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (branded as Wal-Mart) is an American public corporation that runs a chain of large, discount department stores. It is the world's largest public corporation by revenue, according to the 2008 Fortune Global 500.” “Wal-Mart is the largest private employer and the largest grocery retailer in the United States.” (Wikipedia). To be the industry leader, Wal-Mart must have its own competitive business strategies, the first one I want mention is growth strategies, significantly expanding its capacity, expanding into
Bibliography: Aleksandrov, N. 2004 Wal-Mart: An analysis of the world 's largest company 's success over the last decade. Manchester: UMIST. MBSlib. n.d. “沃尔玛公司” (“Wal-Mart Company”) http://wiki.mbalib.com/wiki/%E6%B2%83%E5%B0%94%E7%8E%9B%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8 Turban, E. 2009. Information technology for management: transforming organizations in the digital economy. 7th ed. (International student edition). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Walmatr. n.d. “International” http://walmartstores.com/AboutUs/246.aspx Wikipedia. n.d. “Wal-Mart” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wal-Mart