BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

BBA2_ICT_ASG_2020 © Regenesys Business School 1
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY II
ASSIGNMENT
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the assignment submission dates.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
• Ensure that your first name, surname, student number, the course code number and total
number of pages appear on the front cover of your assignment.
• Assignments must be submitted online via the Turnitin link on your course subject page.
Assignments may not be submitted via e-mail.
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here: https://portal.regenesys.net/course/view.php?id=43
• Answer this assignment according to the guidelines in the Assignment Submission Guide, which
you can download here:
https://portal.regenesys.net/pluginfile.php/1400/mod_resource/content/10/Assignment_Submission
_Guide_Acad_ver7.pdf
• Ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the frequently used terms in assessments. For
an explanation of assessment terminology, go to:
https://portal.regenesys.net/pluginfile.php/1400/mod_resource/content/10/Assignment_Submission
_Guide_Acad_ver7.pdf
• Start this assignment as soon as possible. It will help you focus on important parts of the subject
content early in your studies.
BBA2_ICT_ASG_2020 © Regenesys Business School 2
Assignment format

• Use Arial 11pt, single spacing.
• Write your responses in ESSAY AND PARAGRAPH FORMAT. Avoid bullet-type responses.
• Appendices may be a maximum of three pages each, with the information in them relevant to the
assignment and summarised. Provide relevant links referenced in your appendices so that your
assessor can evaluate them.
• Respect the introduction, body and conclusion format for answering questions – this counts for
marks.

BBA2_ICT_ASG_2020 © Regenesys Business School 3
Referencing
• Plagiarism is a serious offence. Do not copy directly from any text unless absolutely necessary.
Enclose quotes in inverted commas to indicate that they are not your words, and include an in-text
reference with each quote. Paraphrase all the reference comments that you use and include
appropriate reference and page numbers.
• Use the in-text referencing method prescribed by Regenesys under guidelines and policies on the
student portal. Consult the referencing mark allocation guide for the minimum number of
references needed for this assignment.
• Full referencing of all sources, including page numbers in in-text referencing, is essential.
For example: (Gitman, 2010:15) in text, and then in your reference list:
Gitman, L.J. 2010, Principles of Managerial Finance, Cape Town: Pearson Education.
• Extensive and credible academic references are required to demonstrate that you have
researched the topics fully and so that you can substantiate your arguments critically.
You may work on this assignment in a group BUT you must write the assignment individually, and in
your own words. If NOT, you will be told you have copied and you will have to do a brand new
assignment. The mark will be capped at 60%, and you will have to pay a resubmission fee.
BBA2_ICT_ASG_2020 © Regenesys Business School 4
ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1 [10 MARKS]
Your line manager at work asks you to compile a descriptive definition of the term ICT that is clear yet
comprehensive enough that other colleagues will also understand its meaning.
Ensure that the definition of ICT that you compile makes reference to the various components that
relate to ICT and is applicable to the business environment where you work, or to a business
environment of your choice.
QUESTION 2 [10 MARKS]
Various network types are available that institutions can use to link computers and peripheral devices
to each other. Various ways in which to link these devices (network topologies) also exist.
You work in a business that has until recently been sharing one office space. However, due to
economic growth, management has decided to expand the business and open an office on the other
side of town, as well as in another town in a different province (region). You are asked to advise
management on the best networking infrastructure to create to ensure that the various offices are able
to access and share similar data.
Based on your own definition of what a network is, describe the network topology and type that you
would recommend. Indicate in your answer why you recommend this network topology and type. Use
practical examples based on the description above to justify your choices.
BBA2_ICT_ASG_2020 © Regenesys Business School 5
QUESTION 3 [30 MARKS]
Work through sections on ICT infrastructure requirements and Exploring the role and
importance of ICT in management of your study guide and the recommended sources in order to
answer this question.
Access your online textbook, Laudon and Laudon (2014), and read the case study of BAE Systems at
the beginning of chapter 6. The case study explains how BAE had to adapt its systems and ICT
processes to ensure access to important information related to the manufacturing of aircraft.
Based on the case study of BAE Systems, answer the following questions:
3.1 Using the data-information-knowledge-wisdom hierarchy, explain the importance of
access to information for BAE’s aircraft section to make informed decisions that will
ensure the sustainability and progress of the business.
(5)
3.2 Discuss the data management cycle that BAE followed to ensure that all data within
the institution were deposited in a single repository and used during decision-making.
(6)
3.3 Using examples from the case study, briefly explain what steps can be followed to
design a data warehouse for BAE. Your answer should be in the form of a diagram
and should only include steps applicable to creating a data warehouse for BAE.
(12)
3.4 Explain the issue of legacy systems that posed a problem for the aircraft
manufacturing division of the business. What lesson related to legacy systems can
you learn from this case study and how can you apply it to your work environment?
(5)
3.5 In your own words, explain the value of ICT for management in the BAE case study. (2)
BBA2_ICT_ASG_2020 © Regenesys Business School 6
QUESTION 4 [10 MARKS]
Many institutions are experiencing problems with employees accessing systems and information via
tablets or smartphones not supplied by the institution. But others are encouraging employees to bring
their own devices, as this saves money and promotes mobility within the institution.
What is your view on the use of employees’ own devices at work? Formulate an argument for or
against BYOD within the institution where you work, or a firm of your choice. Your argument should be
substantiated by information from authoritative sources that promote the pros and cons of this
phenomenon. Applicable examples to motivate your argument for or against the use of BYOD in your
work environment should also be included.
QUESTION 5 [20 MARKS]
Work through sections on Ethical issues in using ICT in business and Using ICT to improve
customer relations management of your study guide, and the recommended sources, to answer the
question.
Fjermestad and Romano (2006) describe customer relationship management (CRM) as a marketing
paradigm that focuses on satisfying customer needs through the development of close personal
relationships, interactions and social exchanges between a business and its customers, with ICT.
Based on this definition and your knowledge of CRM, answer the following questions.
5.1 Using an example from your work environment or a business environment of your
choice, explain how CRM phases can be applied to retain customers and expand
your client base.
(6)
5.2 Takealot.com is a fast-growing and popular online shopping site. Access the
Takealot Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Takealot. In what way do you
think this Facebook page promotes customer relations? Motivate your answer by
using applicable examples from the page.
(8)
5.3 Explain the ethical behaviour that you think is applicable when engaging with
customers in the social media environment.
(6)
BBA2_ICT_ASG_2020 © Regenesys Business School 7
QUESTION 6 [10 MARKS]
Business intelligence is seen by Rouse (2014) as a data analysis process, aimed at boosting business
performance by helping management make more informed decisions.
Explain how business intelligence can be used in an institution of your choice to promote improved
decision-making. Use applicable examples to support your explanation.
QUESTION 7 [10 MARKS]
Various trends in ICT are mentioned in your study guide. Examples of these include Memristor, USB
3.0, wireless power transmission, gesture-based remote control, artificial intelligence, virtual
collaboration, green IT, mobile technology, etc. Select TWO of these trends and explain how they will
influence the business operations of an institution of your choice.
Ensure that you include references to authoritative sources used to compile the answer to this
question. All sources should be in-text referenced, and should also included in the reference list at the
end of the assignment.
Total Marks: 100