Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Designed for every businessperson who wants to understand how information technology is used in business today. Not an exhaustive or comprehensive list, but a selective guide to 150 key terms & concepts. Provides a vocabulary of core IT terms, & explains their relevance to managers in easily understood language. Also puts these terms into context: instead of elaborating on how bugs & viruses work, cites famous examples of disastrous bugs & explains why they are an unavoidable part of the new technology. Instead of explaining the technical differences in operating systems like the OS/2 or UNIX, describes the key features & advantages of each. Includes an introductory essay that gives an excellent overview of information technology in the organization. Keen shows that just as managers must be familiar with basic accounting techniques or basic marketing principles, so too must they understand the basics of IT. They can no longer afford to simply delegate critical IT strategic decisions to technical professionals.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

The author indicates that CEOs need an understanding of the essentials of information technology (IT), and the terms in this guide are certainly selective. However, most business managers attempting to get a handle on specific concepts for his/her area will be disconcerted by the ``discussion'' method employed here rather than a straightforward definition of terms and concepts. The reader would have to have some knowledge of IT to use even those terms that were defined. Not recommended.-- V.A. Munch, Montville Twp . P.L., N.J. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Currently, advice on improving organization and competing better emphasizes the so-called lean or downsized company. But what happens when every company becomes as lean as can be? There is no better laboratory in which to study such a situation than Japan, where organizational structure epitomizes leanness. Management professor Cooper conducted a five-year study of the management systems of 20 leading Japanese companies. He found that the key to success is direct confrontation with competitors, with the victor better managing cost, quality, and functionality. Of those three factors, cost is most decisive, and Cooper identifies eight cost management techniques that he determined to be critical. This should prove to be an important book. --David Rouse