FACULTY OF BUSINESS
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE YEAR 2
UNIT: INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
NAME: MARYANN WAMBUI
REG NO: BUS-241-088/2012
ASSIGNMENT 1
TITLE: HOW COMPANIES USE BUSINESS SYSTEMS TO ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: KENYA AIRWAYS CASE STUDY
DUE DATE: 26th MAY 2013
LECTURER: PIUS WALELA
Introduction: An information system refers to an arrangement of people, data processes and interfaces interacting to support and improve day-to-day business operations. Information systems should also support the problem solving and decision making needs of various levels of management as well as end users.
Business information systems are the foundation for conducting business activities today. In most industries, the survival and even existence of an enterprise is difficult without extensively incorporating information technology. Information systems have thus become a crucial requirement in helping organizations operate in the global economy. On the other hand, organizations are trying to gain a competitive advantage and efficiency by transforming themselves into digital firms where nearly all core business processes and relationships with suppliers, employees and customers are digitally enabled. Businesses today use information systems for the achievement of six major objectives: gain operational excellence, create new products, services and support new business models, promote customer/supplier intimacy, improve decision making, gain competitive advantage and for day-to-day business survival.
Business systems at any organizational level that help change the goals, products, operations, services or environmental relationships that help an organization gain a competitive advantage are known as strategic information systems.
Traditional strategy models are now being modified to accommodate the impacts of digital firms and information flow. Before digital firms emerged, business strategies emphasized on