Posted: December 27th, 2022

Foundations of Business Computing — COIS11011

Foundations of Business Computing — COIS11011
The foundations of business computing involve the core principles and technologies that are essential for using computers and information systems effectively in a business context. Some key concepts in the foundations of business computing include:

Information systems: Information systems are a combination of hardware, software, and people that are used to collect, process, store, and disseminate data and information.

Data: Data is raw, unprocessed information that is collected and stored in an information system.

Information: Information is the processed data that has been organized and presented in a meaningful way.

Database: A database is a collection of data that is organized and stored in a structured way, so it can be easily accessed, managed, and updated.

Business processes: Business processes are the steps and activities that are involved in producing goods or services and achieving business objectives.

Business analytics: Business analytics refers to the tools and techniques that are used to collect, analyze, and present data to support business decision-making.

Cloud computing: Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services, such as storage, processing, and networking, over the internet, rather than using local servers or personal devices.

Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity refers to the measures that are taken to protect computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.

Project management: Project management involves the planning, organization, and control of resources to achieve specific goals within a specific time frame.

Business continuity: Business continuity refers to the measures that are taken to ensure that an organization can continue to operate in the event of an unexpected disruption, such as a natural disaster or cyber attack.
Instructions Sheet
1. Type your answers in a Word document and upload the document
through the Moodle assessment submission for grading within
the strict cut-off date and time. This will be limited to a time frame
of 24 hours allowing you to type, complete, and upload. This will
be checked by Turnitin as usual.
2. This examination comprises two parts, Parts A and B. Research
and prepare answers to all questions in Part A and B.Use a variety
of web sources, journals and books to do research, read,
understand and then explain in your own words.
3. Part A: Answer ALL the questions. Part A is worth 20 marks. Some
specific instructions for Part A are:
• Read the case study carefully and answer all the questions given at the end
of the case.
• Be specific and focused on the issue while answering the questions.
• No marks will be given for irrelevant details.
4. Part B: Answer ALL the questions. Part B is worth 30 marks.
5. Write your answer clearly; use numbered headings or
subheadings to show which part of your answer refers to which
question. Example: Part A – Question 2 (a).
6. The submission may be subject to additional verification in the
form of a Zoom interview with the Lecturer. Inability to
satisfactorily answer questions about submission solution(s)
will receive zero for the question(s). Interviews would only be
used if there was suspicion about the submission and/or
additional detail was required.
PART A 20 MARKS
CASE STUDY QUESTIONS
Answer ALL questions from this part.
Page 2 of 6
Term 2 Standard Examination 2022
Foundations of Business Computing — COIS11011
Case Study: Target Australia to become mostly online retailer as stores close down (news
article 21 April 2021)
While Kmart continues to be the “hero brand” for Aussies, Target has its own plans to
become more accessible to people around the country. Wesfarmers, parent company to the two
stores, announced a drastic plan last year for 167 Target stores to either close or be converted into
Kmart outlets, meaning around half of Target’s 284-odd Australian stores would be affected.
Around 55 Target’s will be converted around Australia this year into Kmart stores or
KHubs, smaller neighbourhood stores that stock products across kids, home and clothing. There
have been 16 stores that underwent the transformation last year under a restructure worth $800
million. Ian Bailey, managing director of both brands, flagged that Target could become a bigger
business online compared to its physical presence. “As to what the percentage [online] would be,
time will tell, but I certainly believe online will be a very, very important part of the Target
business and we’re certainly investing in the growth of online for Target,” he told The Sydney
Morning Herald. “It’s already a very profitable channel for us, and we think it has a lot of potential
to grow.”
The challenge that Wesfarmers has encountered is running two discount department stores
that are essentially attracting the same types of shoppers, Professor Gary Mortimer, retail expert
from the Queensland University of Technology, told news.com.au. “Ultimately, when one brand
delivers a better value proposition to customers, be it Kmart, the other brand will naturally
contract as a result and we have seen that over the last several years,” he said. The retailer’s
strategy, which has been playing out over the last 18 months, is “viable”, Prof Mortimer added,
including removing their Target Country brands and installing KHubs which enabled regional
and rural communities to access Target products via online and delivery. “Their strategy around
the rest of the nation to reduce the Target fleet of stores seems reasonable. They have simply
closed several of them and rebranded many of them to Kmarts where didn’t have a dominance in
a suburb,” he told news.com.au.
Part A continued over the next page
Page 3 of 6
Term 2 Standard Examination 2022
Foundations of Business Computing — COIS11011
Part A (continued)
“It has a smaller physical presence in those suburbs or markets that are more aligned to a
better fashion offer and home furnishings offer, but a much bigger presence for Kmart, which is
clearly their hero brand.” Mr Bailey denied suggestions that Target could be completely
swallowed up by Kmart in the future, although the performance of Kmart post the Target
conversions had been ahead of expectations, he said. “That would be very unlikely. The Target
brand is a very powerful brand and we see it as a great asset,” he said. “As we focus on a smaller,
simpler and more focused Target … it gives us the ability to be more precise than we’ve been
historically.” But Prof Mortimer suggested the company needs to do more to differentiate the
brands for shoppers.
“I do genuinely think that long term unless there is a clear market differentiation between
the two brands, Kmart being cheap and cheerful, and potentially pushing Target back into the
middle market I don’t know why they would want to hold that Target brand?” he said. “Clearly
the Target brand has some history in Australia. It’s a well known brand that may be some of the
rational why they want to hold it … but if the home fashion, soft furnishings, apparel, toys offering
is essentially the same as Kmart, customers will continue to not identify the difference and
continue to shop at its hero brand, the Kmart brand.”
Wesfarmers had signalled an intention to push Target back into the likes of the middle
market a few years ago, alongside the likes of Myer, Prof Mortimer said, but he warned it was a
challenging segment to capture and Myer had “struggled for over a decade now”. However, he
said it was clear Target were making a change inside, with a “better level of store presentations”,
better quality fashion and home furnishings, and pricing slightly higher than Kmart.
Gaps on shelves has been a huge issue for Kmart during the pandemic as cashed up
Aussies look to splurge while travel is restricted, but Mr Bailey said it has increased the amount
of stock it holds to prevent future shortages and has also invested in new technology.
Part A continued over the next page
Page 4 of 6
Term 2 Standard Examination 2022
Foundations of Business Computing — COIS11011
Part A (continued)
Shoppers may now see a new addition in the Kmart aisles — a human sized robot called
Tory, which will move through stores to track stock levels by scanning products, although they
are more likely to be used at night when it’s quieter. Prof Mortimer said the robot means even
better news for shoppers as it should bring about cost savings, which will be passed on to
consumers, and will also be able to identify where misplaced stock is in store.
News.com.au, 2021, Target Australia to become mostly online retailer as stores close down, viewed 27 April 2021,
https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/target-australia-to-become-mostly-online-retailer-as-stores-close-down/newsstory/96d0041e54fd6dc27dc877f4cabdbb59
Questions
1. Identify and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of Target moving to a largely online retail
store. (5 marks)
2. What is Target’s competitive advantage? (2 marks)
3. Describe Wesfarmer’s strategy. Do you think it is sustainable? Support your answer. (3
marks)
4. How can Wesfarmers harness the power of social media for marketing? (2 marks)
5. Discuss how data analytics and business intelligence may have supported Wesfarmers
decision to close Target stores? (2 marks)
6. Kmart will be introducing a human sized robot called Tory, which will move through stores
to track stock levels by scanning products. Tory will scan RFID tags.
Explain RFID technology and the advantage to Kmart. (2 marks)
List and briefly describe four infrastructure components that Wesfarmers would need to
consider for maintaining Tory the robot. (4 marks)
Term 2 Standard Examination 2022
Foundations of Business Computing — COIS11011
Page 5 of 6
PART B 30 MARKS
SHORT ESSAY QUESTIONS
Answer ALL questions from this part.
Each question is worth 5 marks (6 x 5 = 30 marks).
Question 1 5 Marks
Explain the terms data, information, and knowledge. What is a knowledge management system?
What types of technologies make up a comprehensive system? Give an example of a knowledge
management system.
Question 2 5 Marks
Explain the terms organisational culture and organisational learning. How do information systems
help organisations? Why is organisational culture an important factor in enterprise-oriented social
media initiatives? Why is organisational culture an important factor in business digital
transformation?
Question 3 5 Marks
The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics were created by the Computer Ethics Institute.
1. Discuss why businesses need guidelines for the ethical use of information.
2. Give 4 examples of unethical behaviour and what could be done to prevent such
behaviour.
Question 4 5 Marks
We have discussed failed ERP implementations in this unit, and it is important we learn from past
mistakes. Give an example of a failed ERP implementation, what key factors caused the failure?
What factors can increase the success of ERP implementations?
Part B continued over the next page
Part B (continued)
Page 6 of 6
5 Marks
Term 2 Standard Examination 2022
Foundations of Business Computing — COIS11011
Question 5 5 Marks
Scenario: Consider a start-up company (with financial backing) that is developing software for
an online intelligent hiring system. Applicants submit their information to the system and are
screened and ranked using data science. Businesses recruiting employees can log in to view
information about suitable applicants. The company is based in Melbourne and has employees
that work remotely all over Australia. Discuss threats to IS security in this scenario considering
both internal and external users, how you would assess the risks and what strategies would you
implement to reduce these threats?
Question 6
Choosing the right computing solutions for a business or organisation is a difficult task.
Scenario: You are employed as a business analyst for a small local government organisation of
500 employees. The Off-The-Shelf CRM system has not been upgraded for 6 years and is
outdated and unsupported by the vendor due to poor system maintenance. One suggestion is to
work with the vendor to upgrade the system to the latest version (this may require multiple smaller
upgrades as the system is behind in versions and complex functionalities have been developed),
another suggestion is to buy and implement another Off-The-Shelf CRM software system and
migrate all the data from the old one to the new one.
Outline and discuss what you would include in a Business Case for each suggestion. What other
considerations would you include in a report to the oversight committee so that an informed
decision could be made?

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