Study case

Surf the Internet for information about the Department of Homeland Security. Examine the available information, and comment on the role of information technologies in the department.

Experience mass customization by designing your own shoes at www.nike.com, your car at www.jaguar.com, your CD at www.easternrecording.com, your business card at www.iprint.com, and your diamond ring at WWW.bluenile.com. Summarize your experiences.

Access WWW.go4customer.com. What does this company do and where is it located? Who are its customers? Provide examples of how a U.S. company would use its services.

Enter Walmart China (www.wal-martchina.com/english/index.htm). How does Walmart China differ from your local Walmart (consider products, prices, services, etc.)? Describe these differences.

Apply Porter’s value chain model to Costco (www.costco.com). What is Costco’s competitive strategy? Who are Costco’s major competitors? Describe Costco’s business model. Describe the tasks that Costco must accomplish for each primary value chain activity. How would Costco’s information systems contribute to Costco’s competitive strategy, given the nature of its business?

Apply Porter’s value chain model to Dell (www.dell.com). What is Dell’s competitive strategy? Who are Dell’s major competitors? Describe Dell’s business model. Describe the tasks that Dell must accomplish for each primary value chain activity. How would Dell’s information systems contribute to Dell’s competitive strategy, given the nature of its business?