The Internet and Information System That Contribute to Competitive Advantage

AFF5200

ISSUES IN COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

PROJECT I

THE INTERNET AND INFORMATION SYSTEM THAT CONTRIBUTE TO COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

PREPARED FOR

Mr. Richard Laney

By

Wendy (20646836)

Sara

Prashanthi Ananthula (20107226)

Kaushalya Abeysinghe (20139128)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

With the increasing global competition faced by businesses, it is important that in order to survive they have to put in place a highly effective Information Technology (IT) infrastructure to increase their chances of succeeding. In this report we focus on how information systems (IS) and internet can be used to achieve competitive advantage to a business. Over the past few decade mangers are focuses on adopting new technology to their business thus to achieve competitive advantage. These technological revolution lead to a significant change of structure of the industry and manner of companies compete

In this report, with two case studies (Wal-Mart stores & Commonwealth Bank of Australia – net bank), we examine the possible use of the Internet and information systems as a business tool to gain competitive advantage. Further, it discusses the competitive forces using Porter’s model and the strategies to overcome these forces. In the end it explains the most commonly used Internet tools with relation to practical examples of their possible use as tools to gain a competitive advantage.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Information system is a set of interrelated components that work collectively to carry out input, processing, output, storage and control actions in order to convert data into information products that can be used to support forecasting, planning, control, coordination, decision making and operational activities in an organisation .

ROLE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN BUSINESS

Information systems play a vital role in business world. Up until mid-1950’s firms managed to conduct their business activities manually, this involved paper work to communicate information. During the past 50 years the flow of information among the businesses has been computerised. In today’s world, an information system is laid as a foundation for conducting business activities. It has been difficult for many industries to exist in the competitive market without an extensive use of information technology.

Businesses face many challenges and problems and information