MIS Chapter 4 Study Guide

Information Technology Management | Moore's Law & E-Waste

Relevant Lexicon

Moore’s Law The observation that chip performance per dollar doubles every 18 months. This applies specifically to processors and chip-based storage. Slides 3-5
Volatile Memory (RAM) Storage that is wiped clean when power is cut from a device. It is used for temporary "work space" for the processor. Slide 7
Non-Volatile Memory Storage that retains data even when powered down, such as Flash memory (used in cameras/phones) or Solid State Drives (SSD). Slide 7
Solid State Electronics Semiconductor-based devices with no moving parts. They are faster, more reliable, and require less power than mechanical counterparts. Slide 8
Price Elasticity The rate at which the demand for a product fluctuates with price changes. As technology gets cheaper, new markets and uses open up. Slide 11
Internet of Things (IoT) A vision where low-cost sensors and processors are embedded into everyday objects, allowing them to communicate and share data. Slide 15
E-Waste Discarded, often toxic, electronic junk. This is a byproduct of rapid innovation and short product lifecycles. Slides 22-24
Disruptive Technologies Technologies that initially enter at the low end of a market but improve rapidly, eventually displacing established market leaders. Slide 28

Interactive Practice

A UT student is looking at a gaming laptop he bought two years ago for $1,200. He notices that a new model is now available for the exact same price, but it features twice the processing speed and significantly more storage capacity than his current machine.

Which concept best explains why the laptop's performance has increased so much while the price stayed the same?

Five years ago, only high-end professional photographers used drone technology due to the massive cost of the equipment. Today, because the chips and sensors have become so cheap, thousands of UT students use drones for hobbyist filming and social media content.

Which concept describes how falling prices opened up this massive new market of hobbyist consumers?

A student is working on a final project for her MIS 301 class when her laptop suddenly loses power and shuts down. When she restarts the computer, her unsaved Word document changes are gone, but her saved photos and downloaded apps are still there.

Which type of storage was responsible for keeping the photos and apps even without power?

A local tech company decides to replace all 500 of its employees' desktop computers with newer, more efficient models. The manager suggests throwing the old computers in the regular trash bins behind the office to save on disposal fees.

Why is the manager's plan a significant corporate social responsibility failure according to MIS 301?

A student lives in a modern apartment where the light bulbs, the refrigerator, and the thermostat are all connected to the Wi-Fi. He can monitor his energy usage on his phone and receive an alert if he leaves the fridge door open.

This network of "smart" physical objects is a classic example of which concept?