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Our shared collection with BCcampus breaks down resources by subject area. You can also filter by ancillaries, accessibility criteria, review or adoption status, as you search for the best fit in your courses. We’re always here to help if you’re not sure where to start.
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Information Systems for Business and Beyond by David T. Bourgeois, Ph.D. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
Information Systems for Business and Beyond
Description: Information Systems for Business and Beyond introduces the concept of information systems, their use in business, and the larger impact they are having on our world.
Posted: April 24, 2014 | Updated: September 29, 2020
Author: David T. Bourgeois, Ph.D.
Subject Areas
Business, Business and Technology
Original source
www.saylor.org
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Reviews (2)
Avg:
Institution:University Canada WestTitle/Position: Professor of Business
Q: The text covers all areas and ideas of the subject appropriately and provides an effective index and/or glossary
The textbook covers most of the material on Information Systems one would need to absorb in an introductory business course.
Some coverage, for example on the binary system (in Chapter 2) or on normalization (in Chapter 4) are superficial and incomplete for this type of course level. They would need more expansion.
This does not undermine the textbook's content; however, it reduces its value as a first-year university course.
Comprehensiveness Rating: 3 out of 5
Q: Content is accurate, error-free and unbiased
Most of the definitions are appropriate. Formality is acceptable at this introductory level. Practice questions are adequate.
I would suggest more details in the solutions – instead of simply stating the answer. From time to time (maybe for every third exercise) provide a detailed answer with relevant online references.
I did not find errors. However, if the textbook is to be used in Canada, it lacks Canadian content – using mostly material more appropriate for the U.S. audience (e.g. Intellectual Property or Privacy – Chapter 12).
The content is slightly biased towards the U.S. business environment rather than presenting a more global business perspective. Canadian content is missing.
Content Accuracy Rating: 3 out of 5
Q: Content is up-to-date, but not in a way that will quickly make the text obsolete within a short period of time. The text is written and/or arranged in such a way that necessary updates will be relatively easy and straightforward to implement
Because technology is a fast developing topic, keeping the content up-to-date would require regular reviews and updates (e.g. URLs, software and hardware references, and networking).
However, those updates would be easy to implement when required.
Relevance Rating: 3 out of 5
Q: The text is written in lucid, accessible prose, and provides adequate context for any jargon/technical terminology used
The writing style is conversational, simple, and accessible. Passive voice is prevalent unfortunately.
Use of technical jargon is a requirement – however, it is not overwhelming.
Note: I have extensive experience on this subject having written books on similar topics and find the writing style appropriate - except for the grammar errors described later on.
Clarity Rating: 4 out of 5
Q: The text is internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework
The text’s consistency is acceptable. It may lack the rigour expected for a purely computer science course audiences. In this context, terminology usage is adequate.
For example, I would have preferred more emphasis on Knowledge Management and Artificial Intelligence use in business.
Consistency Rating: 3 out of 5
Q: The text is easily and readily divisible into smaller reading sections that can be assigned at different points within the course (i.e., enormous blocks of text without subheadings should be avoided). The text should not be overly self-referential, and should be easily reorganized and realigned with various subunits of a course without presenting much disruption to the reader.
The text is not self-referential and the chapters can be easily reorganized up to a point. Some chapters contain prerequisite material before starting other ones (hardware, software, networking - for example).
The book is subdivided in three sections, each with 3 to 5 chapters subdivided into sections, and containing study questions, and exercises. Sections are clearly indicated. Captions are present. Every chapter has a brief summary.
The text contains a reasonable number of study questions at the end of each chapter. Study questions have proposed answers at the end of the book.
Suggested exercises do not have proposed solutions. This is one weakness of this textbook. Case studies are missing – an essential feature of business courses.
Pertinent references are included in the very limited bibliography of less than 25 references [no title there]. – see page 162. [error to be corrected]
Modularity Rating: 4 out of 5
Q: The topics in the text are presented in a logical, clear fashion
The flow is straightforward with topics following in a logical way, building on previous content.
The content is presented in short chapters with relevant references to outside sources – websites, articles, and videos. The links (URLs) are "clickable."
Organization Rating: 4 out of 5
Q: The text is free of significant interface issues, including navigation problems, distortion of images/charts, and any other display features that may distract or confuse the reader
The relation between the table of content and the text is consistent allowing for easy navigation between the topics.
This includes direct access to relevant content for those who would like to jump to specific topics.
An annoying formatting inconsistency was present in my pdf copy – font size was variable (bigger or smaller fonts) in various places of the text. This could be corrected with proper format editing.
Figures and tables are clear, legible, and with relevant captions.
Figures, tables and subsections are not numbered - a slight weakness.
Interface Rating: 3 out of 5
Q: The text contains no grammatical errors
I did not find spelling errors.
However, unfortunately, grammar errors abound - mostly substituting plural for singular “their” instead of “his or her”, including some faulty expressions (different alternatives - ? – what else), invalid use of “being” and so on. Too many to list here.
Careful editing would take care of these errors.
Punctuations are correct and consistent.
The use of passive voice is omnipresent.
Grammar Rating: 2 out of 5
Q: The text is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way. It should make use of examples that are inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds
The text is somewhat culturally insensitive (focused on the United States business environment rather than global) but not offensive in any way.
Cultural relevance applies here – especially in Chapter 12 on Ethical and Legal Implications. Canadian content is missing.
Some mention on European standards is present. No mention on Canadian ones, which are quite different from the European or U.S. ones regarding privacy or IP topics. (e.g. PIPEDA)
Cultural Relevance Rating: 2 out of 5
Q: Are there any other comments you would like to make about this book, for example, its appropriateness in a Canadian context or specific updates you think need to be made?
This textbook is a good introduction to Information Systems for students entering first year business undergraduate studies, especially if their exposure to computer science is limited (for example, those with literature or arts background).
Its content is suitable for a face-to-face delivery method in a classroom, and with some modification, to online delivery too. Furthermore, it could also apply to advanced secondary school students, or college students. The writing style is conversational. The material well structured.
Unfortunately it lacks online teaching tools for a more suitable online delivery method. It requires a set of classroom and online delivery tools – like PowerPoints for each chapter, take home exercises, online tests, and case studies or quizzes. Adding these kinds of teaching tools would greatly enhance the value of the book’s content and delivery capability.
The existing end-of chapter questions are useful. The suggested answers at the end of the book quite appropriate.
It might be advisable to include some Canadian content when using business or legal examples and to apply a more “Canadian” style rather than a U.S. one. However, in my experience, Canadian students are used to U.S. writing styles (sic).
My concern is more for foreign students (India, China) who might be interested in taking online courses from B.C. institutions. In this case, including also a Canadian content might be more appropriate.
I would still recommend this textbook for an introductory course in business for an advanced high-school class, college or first-year university level.
Institution:Briercrest College and SeminaryTitle/Position: Assistant Professor
Q: The text covers all areas and ideas of the subject appropriately and provides an effective index and/or glossary
The textbook covers all areas suitable for the Information System in a business program. The main theories are well explained with some practices. The topics are well grouped into three parts.
Comprehensiveness Rating: 5 out of 5
Q: Content is accurate, error-free and unbiased
The content in the textbook is accurate and unbiased. I didn't find any errors. The book could include updated data to reflect the current reality. Also, if this textbook's purpose is to be addressed to Canadian students, information and examples should reflect the reality in Canada.
Content Accuracy Rating: 4 out of 5
Q: Content is up-to-date, but not in a way that will quickly make the text obsolete within a short period of time. The text is written and/or arranged in such a way that necessary updates will be relatively easy and straightforward to implement
Yes, the text seems to be written to make future updates easily implemented—however, some updates like in the chapters related to hardware and software should be made.
Relevance Rating: 3 out of 5
Q: The text is written in lucid, accessible prose, and provides adequate context for any jargon/technical terminology used
The text is clear and written professionally. Even though the text requires cover technical terms, the authors did it very well. With a good style, the content is friendly for students and straight forward using examples for clarification.
Clarity Rating: 5 out of 5
Q: The text is internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework
The text's purpose is clear. The textbook aims to cover three main topics:
Part 1: What Is an Information System?
Part 2: Information Systems for Strategic Advantage
Part 3: Information Systems Beyond the Organization
The subtopics inside each part give support for the main topic.
Consistency Rating: 5 out of 5
Q: The text is easily and readily divisible into smaller reading sections that can be assigned at different points within the course (i.e., enormous blocks of text without subheadings should be avoided). The text should not be overly self-referential, and should be easily reorganized and realigned with various subunits of a course without presenting much disruption to the reader.
The textbook is well-organized in topics and subtopics. Each chapter is well structured, following the same format. Even though there are answers to the study questions, there are no answers to the exercises.
Modularity Rating: 4 out of 5
Q: The topics in the text are presented in a logical, clear fashion
Topics flow in the textbook logically and understandably.
Organization Rating: 5 out of 5
Q: The text is free of significant interface issues, including navigation problems, distortion of images/charts, and any other display features that may distract or confuse the reader
I didn't find any interface issues in the textbook. Charts, tables, exhibits are well presented in the online version. However, in the PDF version, it is possible to find some distortion related to the size and position. I don't know how it could reflect in a hardcopy version.
Interface Rating: 4 out of 5
Q: The text contains no grammatical errors
I suggest proofreading for correctness. There are some errors related to improper formatting, wrong or missing prepositions, punctuation, misspelled words, incorrect verb forms, etc.
Grammar Rating: 2 out of 5
Q: The text is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way. It should make use of examples that are inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds
Mostly based on the US context, the text has no reference related to Canadian reality and minorities. There are many uses of technology for inclusion and accessibility that could be mentioned. There is no reference to how the First Nation in Canada uses Information Systems to improve their communities.
Cultural Relevance Rating: 2 out of 5
Q: Are there any other comments you would like to make about this book, for example, its appropriateness in a Canadian context or specific updates you think need to be made?
There are some areas for improvement, as mentioned before. However, overall it is a useful text for the undergraduate degree. I recommend this textbook.
